I'm not a big fan of angular funnels. I really prefer gently rounded ends. It just looks better to me. Is there a reason to go angular instead of rounded besides aesthetics?
They are significantly cheaper to build and they have better stealth performance
Why no sponson? Just curious.
The way you've drawn them they'll act as a gigantic radar reflector. Besides, like on the Kasten class there's several other places where you can put them and get about the same coverage.
I don't really see the problem with having a Mk.29 on there. This ship, after all, was designed with a single purpose, to be a surface strike ship. AA is purely point defense. The ship as designed was literally built around the Viper NSM, to be nothing more than an efficient delivery system for SSM's. I chose the Mk.29 because it has a relatively small footprint, no deck penetration and an effective missile in the SeaSpike Mk IV (RIM-162 ESSM). Putting the ESSM in the regular VLS tubes would take space away from packing in more Vipers. Being quadpacked, admitedly not much, but some nonetheless. I also couldn't find a reasonable slot for a Mk.48 VLS except maybe the small Mod 0 or Mod 1. As it stands though, I remembered I also use the SeaDagger (RIM-116 RAM) so I replaced the Mk.29 with a Mk.49 with the bonus I guess you could say of having 21 missiles instead of only 8.
If any of that makes sense ...
It doesn't. The part about the Mk. 29 launcher and ESSM does, but building a ship this big as a purely ASuW platform doesn't.
I've mentioned this before, but to recap, in order to be a good ASuW platform you have to be able to defend against a reply in kind. For a FAC that means running and hiding, for you that means being able to shoot the missiles down. The only exceptions I'm aware of are conversions of older designs that didn't have the ability to mount both. You, however, are building a brand new ship from the bottom up, which means you have all the options in the world to incorporate a proper defensive system.
The fact that you have carriers and SSGNs also means that the design is redundant. You've already got all the ASuW weaponry you're ever going to need right there. Honestly I think you'd be better off building more Point Blanches since they can defend themselves and enhance the task force's defences. And nothing is stopping you from loading ASMs in the VLS tubes.
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