Pz gen wrote:
Wont a stern gate for a landing dock also use room required for the engines?

Sure, but then I'm sure there's a solution to that seeing as how many amphib's have a stern gate and engines :P

Randy - I disagree. By giving the BBGN a landing platform and significant hanger capability, it can act as a helicopter carrier (LPH) to either carry a lot of SH-60/S-70B Seahawk's for anti-submarine work in defending carrier battle groups, a significant number of troop transport helo's for helicopter assaults, or a combination thereof. It simply makes the vessel more multi-role.

As for weapons remember that I'm putting in two channels of fire for a total of about 250 SM-2/RGM-109/ESSM as well as eight quad launchers for RGM-84 (for a total of 32 missiles) in different areas around the ship - meaning it can carry over twice the number of missiles carried by the Ticonderoga-class CG's.. It will also be armed with the triple 16-inch turret and five 5/54 inch turrets, plus eight Goalkeeper CIWS. I feel that the 16 inch turret is still a viable weapon because it has an exceptionally long range and is far, far cheaper to use compared to RGM-109's, making it the preferred weapon in the shore bombardment role. It does also have the secondary capability of engaging surface targets out to a long range.