Shipbucket

In recent years the USN has ramped up its posture towards BMD with AEGIS and the incoming SPY-6, while the majority of the tests have been successful intercepts, there are still doubts as to whether it is a functional war-time system, as all of these tests are just, well, tests in the end. But the interesting thing is that sea-based BMD is not a new concept, in fact, it traces its origin all the way back to the 1960’s.

As the Cold War continued into the second half of the 20th century, the Soviet missile stockpile grew and grew. And if WW3 were to break out, there would be no way to stop them from hitting American cities. This, of course, was a need for concern and the Army began studying the first BMD concepts, among them the Nike-X, Sentinel, and Safeguard programs. Each of these programs had its own downfalls, and all were eventually canceled, but there was an alternative. In case the Sentinel and Nike-X programs came to nothing (or just as a supplement), the USN began its own studies into a BMD program, titled the “Sea-Based Anti-Ballistic Missile System (SABMIS)”.

Work started in 1967 as three companies (Hughes, Lockheed, and Newport News) were awarded a $3,000,000 contract to develop what may have been the world’s first BMD ship. Two versions (nuclear and steam-powered variants) were developed before work was stopped. The idea was to have the radars, fire-control equipment, and missiles on a single-hull. While the vessel couldn’t defend against a full-on nuclear exchange, it could protect against an “accidental” launch (whatever that means). The vessel would operate in a (preferably all nuclear) battlegroup, opposed to operating on its own. It is interesting to note that the PRC was also considered a nuclear threat and it too was part of the driving factor behind the SABMIS.

Designs ranged from some 20,000-35,000 tons, with nuclear and conventionally-powered variants. I drew the steam-powered variant, with the specifications listed below:

Length: 690’ oa
Beam: 100’
Draft: 31’ (not sure if that’s standard or full, or to the keel or sonar dome, my drawing has a 31’ draft to the keel)

Displacement: 33,500 tons (not sure if that’s standard or full)

4 x Mk 25 GLMS
40-60 unspecified (Polaris derivative or Spartan) ABM missiles

4 x large radars of unspecified dimensions
4 x Mk 115 directors
Unspecified sonar dome (I used the SQS-26)
Lots of unspecified radars (I used SPS-54, SPS-10, and SPS-60)
Lots of unspecified COMM’s

Helipad for an unspecified number of helicopters (not sure about a hanger)
*I have the SH-2 sitting on the deck because I don’t know if there is a hanger (and it looks really nice there).

That’s really all I know about this proposal. Work was stopped in the 1970’s I think, and it faded away. I’m actually surprised nobody has drawn this yet, but I like drawing these never builds. Also, I’m curious to know what hull prefix it would receive, maybe CBG (Large Guided-Missile Cruiser) or something entirely new? All my info comes from here:

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/thread ... bmis.8305/

and apparently, it was featured in a Proceedings article

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedi ... ic-warfare

(that I can’t read ) and Jane’s Fighting Ships 1969-1970.

This was my reference image:



And now the actual drawing.



I would like to hear what you guys’ think of this, I don’t really think it’s feasible but it’s an interesting concept, to say the least. Maybe the BMD San Antonio traces its’ origins back to the SABMIS ?

Edit 1: Fixed an issue with my layers.

One thing that jumps out at me is that the OE-82C you're using is much too modern, and you should instead use the AS-3018 (also, no reason for more than one antenna on each beam).



You should also have SSR-1 arranged as necessary.



On the whole, though, this is a pretty solid drawing. I do find myself wondering about ASW--though the source isn't clear, it wouldn't make sense to have SQS-26 without any sort of associated weapon.

my bet is the sonar would be a: know something is there and can try to avoid as much as possible, as well relay information that they detect something to escort

would be surprised if the only ASW capability the ship have, is it's helicopters

Did a little more work after I posted. Nothing major though.

- Used a newer ULQ-6
- Removed the previous SATCOM's and replaced them with an older variant