USN now smallest since before WW1.

[Joseph]

Originally posted by panag
not to mention all the ships that are planned in the next years and all the ones that can be reactivated on a short notice , ....

have a nice day

It can take up to 45 to 60 days or more to reactivated a ship.

[Joseph]

When the last sailor walked off the amphibious ship Anchorage this week, ending the ship's 34 years of naval service, the Navy's fleet of warships shrank to its smallest size since before World War I. Above, the Anchorage pulls into the 32nd Street Naval Station in July.

I worked on the Anchorage when it was at Mare Island in the late 60s or early 70s. There was cook on the Anchorage that was my petty officer when I was station at Naval Training Center in 62/3

[Dis]

as for replacing fuel with something else.

Well you do gain space by going nuclear. Though nuke plants do take up a lot of space. But believe it or not carriers are still hurting for space. At least usable space.

Keep in mind that the navy uses fuel as ballast. This is one of the reasons we kept all of our tanks at least at 95% unless it is being used. Or we prefer to have it almost empty. Having the liquids sloshing around can be bad for stability.

Removing all that fuel may cause the ship to ride up higher. Though this is offset by all the lead, steel, poly, and water shielding we use.

But going nuclear is a good idea for carriers. Because they do require so much fuel. So it definately saves space.

But smaller ships probably need the fuel for better stability. I know on my last ship, the thing was rough in heavy waters when the fuel tanks were low. It was better to have them high.

And you guys should take a look at the gas turbine technology. They really do put the old steam plants to shame and make them almost obsolete.

[Odin]

I like the modern, sporty, hi-tech distroyers with killer cruise missles.

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by Odin
I like the modern, sporty, hi-tech distroyers with killer cruise missles.

Not as "Sporty" as a DDG, but we still kill Iraqis good.

[Alexander's Horse]

The US navy really has a wonderful tradition and was a worthy successor to the Brits.

[DanS]

I've heard that the newer ships are requiring many fewer personnel (less than 1/2). Is this so, or just a lot of Pentagon hot air?

[Dis]

and we're building new traditions.

new females going into deck division, often sleep with everyone in deck division

[pchang]

Gas Turbine engines require complicated transmissions. This could be a big failure point. Also, they guzzle gas.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Dissident
and we're building new traditions.

new females going into deck division, often sleep with everyone in deck division

that doesn't sound good...

are the males doing it also?

Jon Miller

[Dis]

Originally posted by pchang
Gas Turbine engines require complicated transmissions. This could be a big failure point. Also, they guzzle gas.

I'm certain they are more efficient than steam plants.

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by DanS
I've heard that the newer ships are requiring many fewer personnel (less than 1/2). Is this so, or just a lot of Pentagon hot air?

The DD(x) will, but not the current generation, no.

[DanS]

DD(x)? Explain.

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by pchang
Gas Turbine engines require complicated transmissions. This could be a big failure point. Also, they guzzle gas.

Don't they usually hook them up to an electric generator, and then power the propellors with electric motors? If you do that you don't have to have a transmission, and the fuel efficiency can actually be very good.

[Dis]

nope, that's not the case.

The gas turbine is kinda like a jet engine- just for boats . But anyways the turbine goes through reduction gears and turns the shaft. Similar to a steam turbine, but uses the fact that igniting the fuel causes air to expand and then passes through the turbine blades etc.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine1.htm

from that site the only real disadvantage is it does burn more fuel when idling. But that's not a serious concern for a ship, as navy ships are almost always moving. And the cost of manufacturing the turbine is higher than for a diesal engine.

Gas Turbines on gas turbien boats do not provide electricity. They only power the turbien which turns the shaft. Also the hot exhaust goes through a reboiler which provides low pressure steam for the ship (for the galley, and hot water heaters etc.)

Electricity is made by diesal generators. There are 4 I believe on a cruiser if I recall correctly- for reduncy purposes mainly. 2 probably can provide most electrical power.