Krases idiotic "what if" thread! - Scifi-Meshes.com

Krases · 03-09-2007, 05:08 AM

So i was reading some interesting articles on wikipedia, we all know how it goes, you read something about car brakes and about 2 hours later your reading about the mating habits of penguins, its really terrible.

But in those two hours i did read something very interesting about battleships. Apparently the last two Iowa class battleships in the us navy are going to be fully decommissioned, meaning they will be taken off the list of ships to be reactivated incase of emergency.There ability to provide direct fire support to an amphibious assault is going to be taken over by the new Zumwalt class destroyer (though it has the size and firepower of a light cruiser).

So let me get to the idiotic part. How many Iowas would it take to bring down a zumwalt? What about WW2 era fighters? (lets say the zumwalt is sent back in time)

This whole thing is just like battlestar galactica too. Two old ships finally being fully decommsioned

cant forget links!
Zumwalt class destroyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

JustinDixon · 03-09-2007, 05:14 AM

Whelp.... Modern day destroyers and made of allows that are stronger than the standard iron alloys they used in WW2 wessals (heh) BUT at the same time, those battleships have some insane armor - thick as hell. Also, modern day sea vessals are also compartmental, which means in a similer fasion to the good ol Titanic (who sunk, I know) they can stay afloat even after being hit by a torpedo. Not to mention the missile systems of today are far more devistating than the guns of WW2.

It's really hard to say, tbph I'd say they'd both kick eachother's ass to the point where they'd both sink during a fight.

JustinDixon · 03-09-2007, 05:16 AM

Oh, one thing - I remember reading that the Zumwalt will be one of the first ships capable of fitting kinetic kill weapons though (Railguns, Gauss Guns) which will enhance it's firepower quite a bit.

Krases · 03-09-2007, 05:24 AM

THe zumwalt is really going to be a big test bed for technology. I can see rail guns on them in a few years, then maybe laser systems a few years after that.

Adamastor · 03-09-2007, 08:56 AM

the problem with naval rail guns is that they require a whole lot of juice. even if you get round all other physical problems you still have to have a fully electric ship sothat you gan generate enough power. even then you'll need to shut everything on board off to power the gun.. this means that you have to overhaul the entire ship design if you want to install a railgun.

**Spry** · 03-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Not including the massive ammounts of power required, RailGuns really aren't at the stage where they can be practically used as weapons without MAJOR overhauls and repairs to the system every few shots...

JDR · 03-09-2007, 09:37 AM

Don't think an old WWII Era ship would stand a chance. Even if one forgets all about the cruise missiles a modern ship can deploy from well outside visual and even radar range, one must take into account the huge advances in armour-piercing shells and other munitions.

Krases · 03-10-2007, 01:15 AM

I didnt know railguns required so much power! The zumwalts engines wouldn't be enough, would atomic reactors do it?

Hmmm, maybe if they make another big leap in battery technology, they can just store power like they store ammo, and take any extra power created by the engines and re-juice that battery's between fire fights.

Maybe they can load it with a fusion reactor when they get that functioning....it only took a few years to give ships nuclear reactors after nuclear bombs were invented.

**TheGreatRaja** · 03-10-2007, 02:14 AM

if you like this kind of a what if question, take and pick up the book series

Amazon.com: Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1): Books: John Birmingham
Amazon.com: Designated Targets (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 2): Books: John Birmingham
Amazon.com: Final Impact (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 3): Books: John Birmingham

it deals with a carrier strike force from 2021 sent back to 1942

Dallidas · 03-10-2007, 03:43 AM

those look like good reads!

03-09-2007, 05:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Krases SFM Nugget Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vegas Age: 18 Posts: 94	Krases idiotic "what if" thread! So i was reading some interesting articles on wikipedia, we all know how it goes, you read something about car brakes and about 2 hours later your reading about the mating habits of penguins, its really terrible. But in those two hours i did read something very interesting about battleships. Apparently the last two Iowa class battleships in the us navy are going to be fully decommissioned, meaning they will be taken off the list of ships to be reactivated incase of emergency.There ability to provide direct fire support to an amphibious assault is going to be taken over by the new Zumwalt class destroyer (though it has the size and firepower of a light cruiser). So let me get to the idiotic part. How many Iowas would it take to bring down a zumwalt? What about WW2 era fighters? (lets say the zumwalt is sent back in time) This whole thing is just like battlestar galactica too. Two old ships finally being fully decommsioned cant forget links! Zumwalt class destroyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

03-09-2007, 09:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Spry Lt Col Comrade Boris Spry Realname: James Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,431	Not including the massive ammounts of power required, RailGuns really aren't at the stage where they can be practically used as weapons without MAJOR overhauls and repairs to the system every few shots...
	"A rash self-warning: I sign in raw flesh, Sara!"

03-09-2007, 09:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
JDR Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,077	Don't think an old WWII Era ship would stand a chance. Even if one forgets all about the cruise missiles a modern ship can deploy from well outside visual and even radar range, one must take into account the huge advances in armour-piercing shells and other munitions.
JDR Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,077

03-10-2007, 02:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
TheGreatRaja SFM Fanfilm Attack Dog Join Date: May 2006 Location: On your Computer.. Looking at your Porn! Age: 44 Posts: 1,402	if you like this kind of a what if question, take and pick up the book series Amazon.com: Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1): Books: John Birmingham Amazon.com: Designated Targets (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 2): Books: John Birmingham Amazon.com: Final Impact (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 3): Books: John Birmingham it deals with a carrier strike force from 2021 sent back to 1942
	'Could we have some Decorum here, or are you running a Pirate Ship' - Gaius Baltar 'Just a Battlestar, Sir.' - Starbuck 'Don't dare to be different, Dare to be Original'

03-10-2007, 03:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dallidas SFM Oracle Realname: Kyle Join Date: May 2006 Location: US Age: 18 Posts: 3,561	those look like good reads!
	WIPS: Infodio Class Destroyer Gallery: Abstract art Gallery

03-09-2007, 05:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
JustinDixon Banned Realname: Justin Dixon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, California - Winston-Salem, North Carolina Age: 21 Posts: 1,519	Whelp.... Modern day destroyers and made of allows that are stronger than the standard iron alloys they used in WW2 wessals (heh) BUT at the same time, those battleships have some insane armor - thick as hell. Also, modern day sea vessals are also compartmental, which means in a similer fasion to the good ol Titanic (who sunk, I know) they can stay afloat even after being hit by a torpedo. Not to mention the missile systems of today are far more devistating than the guns of WW2. It's really hard to say, tbph I'd say they'd both kick eachother's ass to the point where they'd both sink during a fight.

03-09-2007, 05:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
JustinDixon Banned Realname: Justin Dixon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, California - Winston-Salem, North Carolina Age: 21 Posts: 1,519	Oh, one thing - I remember reading that the Zumwalt will be one of the first ships capable of fitting kinetic kill weapons though (Railguns, Gauss Guns) which will enhance it's firepower quite a bit.

03-09-2007, 05:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Krases SFM Nugget Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vegas Age: 18 Posts: 94	THe zumwalt is really going to be a big test bed for technology. I can see rail guns on them in a few years, then maybe laser systems a few years after that.

03-09-2007, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Adamastor SFM Nugget Join Date: May 2006 Age: 24 Posts: 133	the problem with naval rail guns is that they require a whole lot of juice. even if you get round all other physical problems you still have to have a fully electric ship sothat you gan generate enough power. even then you'll need to shut everything on board off to power the gun.. this means that you have to overhaul the entire ship design if you want to install a railgun.

03-10-2007, 01:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Krases SFM Nugget Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vegas Age: 18 Posts: 94	I didnt know railguns required so much power! The zumwalts engines wouldn't be enough, would atomic reactors do it? Hmmm, maybe if they make another big leap in battery technology, they can just store power like they store ammo, and take any extra power created by the engines and re-juice that battery's between fire fights. Maybe they can load it with a fusion reactor when they get that functioning....it only took a few years to give ships nuclear reactors after nuclear bombs were invented.

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