Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!ukma!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!esco@tank.uchicago.edu From: esco@tank.uchicago.edu (ross paul weiner) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Ship armor Message-ID: <6269@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 5 May 89 00:35:13 GMT References: <5929@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: University of Chicago Computation Center Lines: 46 Approved: military@att.att.com From: "ross paul weiner" In article <6196@cbnews.ATT.COM> you write: >From: asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu (SULAIMAN) much deleted >to reduce your radar signature. Question being that while Iowa's are fast and >armored are they maneuverable or do they turn like bath tubs? Four screws and twin rudders should make for a very manueverable ship, in the open waters and at a Standard bell or better. I would rather drive a BB than a single shaft FF, for that matter I would much rather try to moor a BB than a FF if the wind was offsetting. >they are not particularly maneuverable given their size. Their size is a >handicap in a world where missiles lock-on based on size of radar return >Iowa has a BIG radar signature. Their armor protects but their size attracts Au contraire mon frere. The BB is just a big gunboat. It sits rather low in the water to look at. I forget what she looks like on a scope but it must be smaller than a CV or an amphib or a big merchant. > Ameer Z. Sulaiman. -- Ross P. Weiner Dandy Dirks Discount Disclaimers esco@tank.uchicago.edu "You can't sue me, I'm broke!" [mod.note: I wouldn't think the Iowa would be particularly maneuverable, given her great length and length-to-beam ratio; she's tailored more for efficient speed. However, she does a few things very well. I recall an issue of Proceedings some months ago which featured a short article by one of her junior officers. He mentioned her incredible stopping ability. Basically, the captain orders full reverse, and "closes the barn doors"; the two rudders are operated independently, both turning outward so that the tails funnel together. This creates a tremendous drag; the officer claimed that if you throw a marker off the bow at the start of the maneuver, the ship will stop before the marker passes the stern ! He likened the effect to standing on a flatbed semi trailer when the brakes are locked up, noting that the maneuver is never done while mess is being served. - Bill ]