Yeah, Arctic Patrol Vessels are kind of an interesting case. If you've watched Deadliest Catch or hang around the more aviation-savvy fans of the show, well...one of the biggest complaints I keep hearing about the USCG assets based there is a lack of truly adequately-sized shipboard helicopter facilities - that means pads
and hangars. I think both the Treasury and Famous classes only have those stupid-ass telescopic hangars, and one of the big deals about the Bertolff class is that they actually bring full-size hangars to the party (as you can see below).
As for the ship as it stands, I think I'm going to try these suggestions:
- the SPG-60 looks awkward as hell. Try SPQ-9B, which is the pyrimidal shaped radar as seen on the mast of this:
Actually, the Bertholf is a good representation of the types of sensors you need, since it does the same mission - it's just a much bigger vessel because it's got a lot more ocean to patrol (IIRC, it's based on a rejected NG proposal for an OHP replacement).
You can also mount it on your own mast, which will free up space and lend a cleaner look to the vessel.
- I would move the Mk 92 eggdome to a halved-version of the mast you have right now for the navigation radar. But what of the navigation radar then? The pyramidal structure you have the eggdome on now, I'd extend that to a "proportional" length - congratulations you now have a main sensors mast. Mount the navigational radar on that, with SPQ-9B
- The Penguin launchers are kinda tricky - where they're mounted now, they could interfere with the helipad, or at the very least, by moving them, you expand the helipad. On the other hand, moving them to the only other good place you have for them - abeam the hangar - will mean that the rocket motors and consequent smoke will interfere with helicopter operations
majorly if Penguin is active. I'd bring this up with other posters and see what they think.
- Strictly optional - you may want to elevate the VLS tubes slightly to ensure enough hull space, if nothing else. Play around with it and see what it looks like.
- The underwater hull is a mess but we'll deal with later. Other than that, let's see what it'll look like now.