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From: jwm@stda.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: LHA/CVA Draft was: Re: USN CVs wont fit in Arabian Gulf?
Message-ID: <1990Aug23.014303.894@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 23 Aug 90 01:43:03 GMT
References: <1990Aug14.033729.8755@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: JHU-Applied Physics Laboratory
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Approved: military@att.att.com



From: jwm@stda.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt)
}From: phil@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG (Phil Gustafson)
}Design draft of the _Tarawa_-class LHA (Helicopter/Harrier assualt
}carriere) is 25.74'.  Draft of the CVA(N)'s is from about 
}35.5' to 37.1'.
}
}Combat loads my increase the drafts somewhat.  As others have indicated,
}draft is not the principal problem in the Gulf.

We could increast the draft of the SAIPAN a LOT by ballasting down.  
You could put a dozen feet of water in the well deck easy.

You WANT to get closer to the shore with an amphibious assault ship.  
The marines are not thrilled with the long (exposed) ride in.
The carrier wants a level flight deck.  Aircraft handle poorely if the
runway is tilted.  

For the first, a shallow draft.  For the latter, a deeper keel.


-- 
"In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain"
					- Pliny the Elder
These were the opinions of :
jwm@aplcen.apl.jhu.edu  - or - jwm@aplvax.uucp  - or - meritt%aplvm.BITNET