USS Bonhomme Richard on Fire

[Dafty duck]

If they're desperate for a replacement for a few years until they can build a new one, a container ship conversion? Been done before.

Not a chance in hell.

 

[Civvy Scum]

Not a chance in hell.

Not enough backhanders for politicians?

 

[endure]

If they're desperate for a replacement for a few years until they can build a new one, a container ship conversion? Been done before.

I suspect that a container ship conversion would be as costly as rebuilding the original. Container ships are just like bathtubs with guides built in.

 

[Roadster280]

Why do their baby 40k Ton carriers cost near enough the same as our 65k?

I think the America class is only about 100ft shorter, but it’s a different kind of ship. They’re intended to lift a Marine Expeditionary Unit with all its vehicles, so most of them will have well decks (but not the first two, bizarrely). So the $4bn replacement cost will include the well deck. I think the QE class was a bit less than 8bn pounds for both, so that‘s about $5bn each. Seems about right.

 

[Dafty duck]

I think the America class is only about 100ft shorter, but it’s a different kind of ship. They’re intended to lift a Marine Expeditionary Unit with all its vehicles, so most of them will have well decks (but not the first two, bizarrely). So the $4bn replacement cost will include the well deck. I think the QE class was a bit less than 8bn pounds for both, so that‘s about $5bn each. Seems about right.

But isn't a well deck just empty space?....

Either they're really not getting VFM or we over paid for ours...

 

[Roadster280]

But isn't a well deck just empty space?....

Either they're really not getting VFM or we over paid for ours...

No idea mate, but as a layman, it seems about right to me - I would have thought the design of the Americas might be a little more complicated than the QE class, with the need to flood part of the ship, the back ramp, pumps, accomodation and messing for another 1000 blokes etc. But then again the QE, having more aircraft will need more fuel tanks, magazines etc. Isn’t that just empty space?

I really don’t know, so I’ll leave Naval matters to Naval types!

 

[rampant]

I think the America class is only about 100ft shorter, but it’s a different kind of ship. They’re intended to lift a Marine Expeditionary Unit with all its vehicles, so most of them will have well decks (but not the first two, bizarrely). So the $4bn replacement cost will include the well deck. I think the QE class was a bit less than 8bn pounds for both, so that‘s about $5bn each. Seems about right.

Flight 0 Americas, USS America & USS Tripoli, do not have a Well Deck. Flight 1s, USS Bougainville onwards, do.

 

[Roadster280]

Flight 0 Americas, USS America & USS Tripoli, do not have a Well Deck. Flight 1s, USS Bougainville onwards, do.

Thought that’s what I said? Bizarrely the first two don’t, the rest will.

 

[rampant]

Thought that’s what I said? Bizarrely the first two don’t, the rest will.

Apologies, missed that part. Replying to too many threads across several devices

 

[DarrenC]

Thought that’s what I said? Bizarrely the first two don’t, the rest will.

I believe the original concept was that losing the well deck gave more hangar space for Ospreys and other aircraft.

 

[Cold_Collation]

The other question: would restoring to fleet condition be any quicker than a new-build?

My £5 is on new-build for all sorts of reasons.

 

[rampant]

The other question: would restoring to fleet condition be any quicker than a new-build?

My £5 is on new-build for all sorts of reasons.

5-7 years quoted for a rebuild, may as well just open a new slot in the America build program

 

[MOzanne]

Well she's off to the scrapyard

Worlds most expensive fag??

 

[rampant]

Worlds most expensive fag??

Isn't that Elton John?

 

[MOzanne]

Isn't that Elton John?

Only if he's responsible for igniting a boatload of seamen.

 

[Lindermyer]

Why do their baby 40k Ton carriers cost near enough the same as our 65k?

because theyve (more or less) the same number of radars radios Bridge instruments, CIC, Engines, gearboxes, All of which cos bigmoney compared to the additional 20K Tonnes of steel and wiring

 

[DavidBOC]

But isn't a well deck just empty space?....

Either they're really not getting VFM or we over paid for ours...

empty space engineered for amphibious vessels surround by all the engineering, ballast tanks, pumps etc to enable the well deck to be flooded down and later raised above the water when the various amphibious vessels have deployed.

 

[bob231]

empty space engineered for amphibious vessels surround by all the engineering, ballast tanks, pumps etc to enable the well deck to be flooded down and later raised above the water when the various amphibious vessels have deployed.

I suspect the pumps themselves are relatively cheap (they're just big fire pumps...).

All the additional design work - particularly if you're mad enough to want flying and dock ops at the same time - will have eaten a lot of the budget. And the action of docking will impose additional structural considerations, along with making a baby carrier that needs to be able to get close in to shore so your LCs don't run out of fuel on the way in...

 

[riksavage]

Sad loss, but could be RNs gain. USMC F35B presence could be the norm for the next five years or so now they’re down one hull. Plus the remainder of the class are not all F35B compliant.

 

[endure]

I suspect that a container ship conversion would be as costly as rebuilding the original. Container ships are just like bathtubs with guides built in.

Replying to myself I know but here's what a container ship looks like without containers