Zoot Zoot

Iceland With the Norse Kingdom already on essentially a war footing, the King and his daughter were rushed to the Royal bunker beneath the Palace. The civilian population would mainly be caught in their beds. The nations missile defence systems shot down six of the eleven weapons fired in their terminal phases, but by the time the other five had been tracked and locked onto, it was too late. Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Akureyri and Reykjanesbær were wiped out, with estimated casualties at nearly two million people and were expected to rise over the following weeks. The military which survived unscathed was deployed en-mass to the disaster areas in full MOPP gear as immediate disaster relief would begin. It would be some time yet before the efforts got up to full speed. The Royal Family was secure in their bunker, but it was buried under alot of debris and would be evacuated as soon as possible by the military. Radio contact was being maintained.

Perhaps you shouldn't of nuked me then Hereno for condemning your nuking antics.

The terms are unconditional. Milan has commited a crime against the species of humanity, nevermind war crimes. Milan will submit itself to the justice of Europe and North Africa, unconditionally, on its knees and beg for peace. That is the only condition the Norse Kingdom will accept.

The response was immediate. Twenty five, five megaton ICBM's would be launched in retaliation to the Italian weapons. They would target every major population center in Milan. Rome would eat three nukes, Milan would be targetted by two, and Venice by two. Public The Norse Kingdom recognises a state of war between itself and Milan. There will be no invasion, no fleet, no bombing raids, nothing but the systematic nuclear bombing of the Milanese state as punishment until they surrender unconditionally, or they stop sending out transmissions.

Seems hereno already requested nuke rolls for me. Might as well return the favour. Roll him 25 SDI rolls please.

Statement from the Norse Kingdom Following the abhorrent usage of nuclear weapons by Milan, we have no choice but to withdraw our support for Alvonia at this time. We advise Alvonia to cut its losses and condemn Milan and sue for peace with the Eastern Bloc.

I dispute none of what Mogar is saying, however I did sail via the Atlantic, whilst it is not specified in the RP itself. Secondly as there is no nation thus far with a policy/doctrine blocking access to any ocean that I know of, I did not deem it a problem that I sailed through international waters into the Indian. As far as Tikals claims are concerned, I call BS, and it is unfitting of a GM arbitrating a dispute to make some comments for fear of accusations of bias, something your personal attitude towards me Lynneth on IRC about this whole thing, has shown nothing but that. As for Mael, unless you have systems in the southern oceans that can relay such precise information to your satellites, or for that matter, even know what you were looking for and why, your claim is also voided. Given how new my nation is nobody would have any reason to be curious about a European fleets movements unless it was a European state or an African state given the course of sail. Only when it entered the Indian would that become a reality. Secondly, unless you have assets specifically watching the sea lines between South Africa and Antarctica. If you can show me the RP describing this, then fine, but I don't think there is. In short, the course of my fleet would of nullified most detection by most states apart from Europe and Africa until I entered the Indian and closed within range of functioning OTH radar stations, something Japan does not yet have in the Indian ocean that war west. As far as 'magically' teleporting my fleet, I argue this, the first response Mogar should of had was to intercept my fleet much earlier if he wants to use that argument, and he never did, and neither did anybody else, he RP'd on recognising the arrival of my ships and the following engagement. The 'magic ships' argument/dispute, is one that should of been made when it was relevent, and not mid way through the RP. The only instance of this being applicable in this senario given how its panned out is the instant deployment of Spartan, Novakian and Australian fleets to within range in one post, during the course of an engagement that is still ICly, in the first hour, if not first half hour. I leave it for Rudy and Bio to make judgment as I do not trust Lynneths judgment in this instance, even though he is not involved ICly, his feelings are quite clear OOCly.

Secure Communication to the Northlands Government OOC Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Public 'The Norse Kingdom denies these vicious lies and slander against our state and our navy. The First Expeditionary Strike Group was on route to a set of exercises when it came under attack by an unknown force occupying the islands in question. It was only lucky that the missile in question was faulty and fell into the sea. We responded with overwhelming force and aggression to remove the threat and any further threat to our fleets movements in the area. Only after we began our response was any attempts made to communicate and we did respond with Wagner. The engagement continues as this broadcast goes out. We are not a rogue state, the Imperium of Japan is the real rogue state here and for its actions, the Kingdom will remove all Japanese threats from the Island by force or by prison ship and they will be tried for an act of piracy on the open seas. Thousands of your countrymen died after their failed attack on our warships, it is no fault but your own. I will not be held responsible for the mistakes of another. As for your last plea to Romania, any Japanese interference in the North Atlantic will be met with the full strength of the Norse Navy and we will dismantle your military ship by ship, plane by plane until you get the picture. Signed HRH Frederik II of Nordboerne Kongedømme

OOC First Expeditionary Strike Group x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 Frederik II Class Battleship x4 America Class Helicopter Carrier x3 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x3 Arliegh Burke Class Destroyers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x4 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes You didnt ask for a force layout, and the only ships I didnt put into the post were the heli carriers/assault ships and the corvettes. As for a work I progress, thats fine, I'll write my post down now and respond to my damages and hit you again, and in your next post, or if you just let me know if the above post has been edited to include further strikes, I will edit this post to reflect up to date damages. IC With the sinking of the Tone and the incapacitation of the Hiei allowed the battleship to turn its attention elsewhere in the engagement. With most of the Japanese ships either striken or what would appear to be heavily damaged, the battleship would turn its guns on the Tenryū, the cruiser which now represented the largest threat. Again with a mixed battery of High Explosive and Armour Piercing shells, the big guns of the battleship would fire all six of its guns at the super structure of the cruiser and its deck with the intention of buckling its VLS cells to ensure they couldnt be fired. It was hoped that the artillery barrage would keep the Tenryū's defences tied up whilst a third volly of nine tomahawk cruise missiles were fired. Three missiles at each the Yanagi, Yūgiri and the Hiei. The other ships in the fleet would hold fire for the moment, allowing the F-35's to fire the remaining Naval Strike Missiles they carried, a total of forty missiles, at each of the striken Japanese ships. Equally distributed, it would mean around ten missiles per ship. Whilst this was taking place, the squadron of FA/18's would take off into the air, outfitted with air to surface missiles. Their mission was to simply destroy the Anti Air tanks on the Island that the cruise missiles missed, a barrage which incidently did not kill alot of the soldiers on the island, but it was hoped it had destroyed alot of the infrastructure such as housing and construction sites, meaning the marines would be exposed to horrific weather conditions when the winter came or even if a storm came through. The FA/18 Super Hornets would release their weapons before entering within range of the Japanese anti air units on the island and returned to the carrier. Response to Japanese counter volly. Whilst this was taking place and a minute or two beforehand, the Japanese fired their own volly in response to the massive attack from the Norse vessels. The Tone's eight Harpoons would be intercepted successfully, with only one getting through, striking the Nimitz's hull armour below the flight deck. The damage was minimal at best, but it would reduce the launching times for aircraft. The eight ESSM's fired at the F-35's would again, be largely defeated by countermeasures from the aircraft, electronic warfare and the fleets screen ships. However, three found their mark and within seconds, three parachutes would be floating gently into the Indian Ocean as their F-35's plummeted in flames. The second volly of Harpoons would however, after following so soon after the first ran straight into a gauntlet of fire from CISW units and surface to air missiles from the ships in the form of the Norse ships own ESSM's. Two more Harpoons would strike the carrier, one at the very front which caused largely superficial damage, and one directly onto one of the carriers load lifters, disabling it and in the process, destroying the FA/18 that was being brought onto the deck. The shrapnel from the three strikes so far utterly shut down the flight deck for what was likely the remainder of the engagement with the exception of aircraft needing to land simply by necesity. The last six missiles shot at the carrier were defeated by countermeasures and the fleets screen ships with ease, but whilst the screen ships were engaged totally on the Type 90's, they could not intercept the thirty two ESSM's fired at the planes in the air. The FA/18's which had only just managed to take off before the runway was shut down, were all shot down, all ten of them and another five F-35's went down aswell. The only saving grace was the F-35's stealth, speed, and onboard countermeasures.

With the collection of targetting data complete and the message from the Islands received, the fleet continued its stance. The official response to the Japanese message would be a recording of Wagners Ride of the Valkyries, it would probably be the last thing the sailors heard. The battleships 14' guns would open fire using a mixture of HE and armour piercing shells aimed at the flightdeck and control tower of the Hiei. Its barrage would continue against the Japanese ship. A secondary volly of twenty cruise missiles would be launched from the VLS cells aimed at the ship, the ulimate aim was to sink it. The three destroyers would likewise open fire with a volly of eighteen Harpoon block II's against the Japanese cruiser and the destroyer, nine each. Following the initial volly, a second volly would be fired of six cruise missiles, two targetted at each the destroyer escort, the Frigate and the destroyer itself. The five Shivalik Class Frigates would fire four Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles each, four missiles per screen ship. A second volly would follow of two more Brahmos missiles from each frigate which would target the Hiei, the cruiser, the destroyer and the destroyer escort. From the air, one squadron of F-35's would launch their own strike package from standoff range comprised two Naval Strike Missile's per aircraft, firing a grand total of twenty NSM's at the Japanese ships. They would be universally distributed across all targets for maximum damage. One final missile barrage of tomahawks would come from the Battleship as it fired fifteen cruise missiles towards the island aimed at all structures, vehicles and communications arrays.

With the information gleaned by the aircraft, it returned to the carrier to refuel. A second Hawkeye would return on station to keep tabs on the small military forces on the island. The fleet would move closer inland to around twenty miles off shore before begining a holding pattern. The fleets battleship would position itself to bring all of its big guns to bear down on the Hiei. The range would be long, but highly accurate. The Hawkeye would transmit targetting information back to the battlegroup about the other ships in the Flotilla. The three Arliegh Burke destroyers would begin processing targetting information against the other ships of the OPFOR flotilla and the Carrier would launch both squadrons of F-35's into the air for a combat air patrol over the fleet itself. One squadron of FA/18 Super Hornets would begin preparing to launch. It was unknown if the fleet moving this close to the island would provoke a response of some sort.

Classified The First Expeditionary Strike Group, would depart Iceland with the First Royal Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Whilst a larger force would set sail, this was a scientific mission as well as a chance to stretch the Norse Navies sea legs so to speak. The other two fully prepared battlegroups would remain on station around Iceland performing drills. The destination would be the South Indian Ocean, Heard Island and McDonald Island. It would take around two weeks for the group to arrive within aircraft range of the island, as a precaution, a single E2 Hawkeye would leave the deck of the carrier and begin observing the island. From what was detected, activity was minimal, but the aircraft would linger for a few more hours on station to see if anything happened. Official charts did not show the island as claimed.

Classified - Naval Register CVBG Icelandic Fury: x2 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 America Class Helicopter Carrier x1 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x3 Frederik II Class Battleship x3 Ticonderoga Class Cruisers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x3 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers x3 Virgina Class SSNs CVBG Northern Wind: x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 America Class Helicopter Carrier x1 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x2 Frederik II Class Battleship x3 Ticonderoga Class Cruisers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x3 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers x3 Virgina Class SSNs x6 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes CVBG Mjölnir: x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 America Class Helicopter Carrier x1 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x2 Frederik II Class Battleship x3 Ticonderoga Class Cruisers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x3 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers x3 Virgina Class SSNs x6 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes First Expeditionary Strike Group x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 Frederik II Class Battleship x4 America Class Helicopter Carrier x3 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x3 Arliegh Burke Class Destroyers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x4 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes Second Expeditionary Strike Group x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 Frederik II Class Battleship x4 America Class Helicopter Carrier x3 San Antonio Class Assault Ships x3 Arliegh Burke Class Destroyers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x4 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes Third Expeditionary Strike Group: x1 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier x1 Frederik II Class Battleship x3 America Class Helicopter Carrier x3 Arliegh Burke Class Destroyers x5 Shivalik Class Frigates x4 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes

Classified Equipment of the Norse Armed Forces: Small arms: Glock SA-80A2 M249 light machine gun L86A2 light machine gun M107 Sniper Rifle L115A3 Long range sniper rifle Machine Guns: General Purpose Machine Gun (GMPY) Browning .50 Caliber Machinegun Grenades: M67 Artillery: 155mm GH 52 APU field artillery platform 155mm Archer artillery system Pzh 2000 Self Propelled Howitzer AS90 Self Propelled Artillery M777 howitzer L118 light gun 82mm Mortar Rocket Artillery: Multiple Cradle Launcher M270 MLRS system Air Defence Systems: MIM-104 Patriot S-400 SAM Buk mobile SAM ASRAD-R Crotale NG (VT-1) Coastal Defence Systems: DF-21 Anti Ship Ballistic Missile (TEL Launcher) Tomahawk Anti Ship Cruise Missile (TEL Launcher - Gryphon) Harpoon Block II Anti Ship Missile (Box launcher - vehicle mounted) Naval Strike Missile (Vehicle mounted/aircraft mounted) BrahMos Cruise Missile (TEL Launcher/vehicle mounted/aircraft mounted) SOM Cruise Missile (Aircraft Mounted) Armour: Leopard 2A7 (Main Battle Tank) CV90 (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) Stryker (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) Puma (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) Marder (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) LAV-25 (Light Armoured Vehicle) AAV-P7/A1 (Amphibious Assault Vehicle)

Classified The Ministry of War began the process of establishing a national aerial defence grid which would protect the Kingdom from attacks from enemy aircraft and missiles. In hardened and easily defended locations around Iceland, OTH Radar stations would be constructed to offer, when completed and linked, 360' detection of ranges up to two thousand miles. The AN/FPS-118 OTH system was used by the former United States and Canada during the Cold War. The positioning of the stations would be directional to the compass points. The resulting 'hole' in the center would be covered by a fifth station which would offer a 360' detection radius to cover the center. To suppliment the radar network, Synthetic Apature Radar stations would be constructed as well as SAR satellites launched. Mobile radar networks would be established through the use of vehicle mounted AESA emitters to ensure the static radar network, if disabled in a war, will only be down for a limited time before the mobile network connects and re-establishes coverage for the hole. Furthermore, infrared, thermographic and optical sensors would be established in key locations of the radar network where the probability of holes is highest. These facilities would be heavily protected by air defences and missile defences. The mobile radar network would operate directly alongside the static positions, but be attached to the mobile units of the air defence forces. Working seperately from regular ground forces, they would be attached to the Norse Air Force or 'NAF' for short. The primary units of the ADF would be made up of MIM-104 Patriot batteries, S-400 SAM units, Buk mobile SAM's, ASRAD-R surface to air systems and Crotale NG (VT-1) surface to air systems. As part of the multi-layer strategy of detection, E-3 Sentry aircraft would patrol Norse skies, the North Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans. One squadron of Tu-160 Blackjacks would always be in the sky at any one time as endurance first response air patrols. The Blackjacks would be outfitted with an AESA RADAR system and a Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod to give greater RADAR data and positive target identification, autonomous tracking, coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges, the addition of more hard points on each bomber allowed the aircraft to carry twenty long range air to air missiles, most notably, the AIM-54 Phoenix. The Blackjacks primary patrol routes would keep it over Iceland and its waters. Using the land based radar systems extreme range and multi-layered composition, these same networks which would keep eyes over the Northern Skies, would also keep watch of the Northern Oceans. This duel purpose led to the development of the Naval Defence Initative. the main long range coastal defences fell in the form of anti ship ballistic missiles. Mounted on TEL's, the ASBM's would be deployed in batteries along the coastlines, kept hidden using the geography and natural foliage not to mention camouflage nets. Once established, they would relocate at a random basis to prevent any observational patterns taking place which would identify them and make them easy to target. Supporting this defence system and the radar network, specialized satellites would be deployed to assist the targeting and fire support systems of the ASBM's. Electro Optical satellites, further SAR satellite and a dozen NOSS satellites. In addition for a more sustainable long range defence, Gryphon Transporter Erector Launcher batteries would also take positions, trying to remain hidden as best possible and moving at random to prevent patterns. These would use TASCMs against enemy warships. For close in coastal defence, Harpoon block III's would be mounted on the back of military trucks in quad launchers. These Harpoon Trucks would work closer to the coastline. These closer systems of defence would also move around randomly to prevent any sort of pattern emerging that would make them easier to attack and destroy. In addition to the long and short range defences, Naval Strike Missile launchers would be developed in static, hardened 'pop up' fortifications, as well as by quad box launchers on vehicles, but primarily, they would be deployed by the air force. The all round general anti naval defence however, would come in the form of the BrahMos missile, which would be used by all branches of the military, but mainly but land based army forces tasked with coastal defence. SOM Cruise Missiles would be likewise deployed, but by the air force. P-3 Orion aircraft would patrol the coastal skies continually searching for any submerged threat to the Kingdom until the SOSUS network which was being laid around Iceland was completed, and extended out into the GIUK Gap as far as possible without breaching the territorial sovereignty of Britain or Ireland.

The Norse Kingdom applauds the strong words from Alvonia towards the aggressive, antagonistic and war worshipping Eastern Bloc.

I do agree to an extent with markus, and I can certainly see where bio is coming from. Gonna use myself as an example. The only difference between my custom design and my modified iowa, is the picture. Knowing full well I couldn't get away with claiming stealth battleship, I put it down as 'to look nice' rather than actual functionality. That said, bio, what you believe simply isn't the case and people do want to know exactly what is hitting them so they can counter it, and hard facts based on real, googlable weaponry is much less of a headache than people simply blagging it as that is what causes arguments.

The range they offer and damage is great yes, but not as great nearly 100 more cruise missiles. Not only that, the 14' guns fire faster, cost less, weigh less, take up less space for more weapons/ammunition. Its a case of weighing up rounds fired per minute and two 14' turrets firing more rounds a minute are going to deal more damage than two 16' turrets as they fire slower.

Classified Advanced Battleship Program: The Advanced Battleship Program is inspired by the last configuration of the Iowa Class battleship in 1991 before it was retired in the United States. They will replace four of the navies current Arsenal ships which are due to be decommissioned. Using the hull of an Iowa Class battleship, there would be alot of space to work with once the new super structure was completed. The superstructure itselfwill have a 'stealthy' design. The shape of the structure, combined with the materials used in construction would imbue it with stealth features, making it harder to spot and or identify on radar as easily as it would of been. By no means is the ship itself to be considered a 'stealth ship', its sheer size negates that aspect. Its sensor suite and electronics would be based on an Ticonderoga Class Cruiser, minus the AEGIS system due to the disruption caused by firing the 12" turrets at the fore and aft of the vessel. The requirement for such a powerful electronics suite is due to the multitude of weapons on board the ship from the big guns, to the Goalkeeper CIWS systems. The suite would keep track of all engaged and targetted hostiles that the vessel is interacting with, as well as providing and recieving data via data linking with other ships in the battlegroup. The downside of a totally digital weapons system is that the big guns cannot be used if the electronics on the ABP is disrupted/destroyed due to a lack of a backup analogue firing system due to below deck space restrictions. The positioning of the eight 76mm OTO Melara RF guns offer good coverage of the vessel in all directions for surface to surface supression and/or combat, as well as surface to air for hostiles. These guns can fire at a rate of 120 rounds per minute per gun, engaging both air and surface targets. The larger round allows for an increased engagement range over the CIWs weaponry. The CIWS systems, of which there are six, are positioned to offer 360' coverage of the vessel to shoot down any threats. The autonomous nature of the Goalkeeper CIWS means that is operates largely independently of the central electronics suite. Additional close range missile protection is provided by four RIM-116 launchers. These launchers are positioned at all sides of the ship, providing excellent all around firepower. The launcher can engage a variety of incoming anti-ship missiles out to 5.6 mi using its rolling airframe missiles.The system has thus far proven to be extremely effective in its intended role. All weapons can be retracted inside the warships deck and structure to increase the stealth of the ship overall when not in use. Preliminary research and experiments into a modern battleship armour belt proved to be too heavy for the ship, slowing it to an unacceptable speed. It would of come in the form of an improved version of an internal armored belt. The main belt is made up of armor up to 13" thick. Outside of this belt is a secondary layer of armor that provides a stand-off barrier. Between these layers is a void space that is honey-combed. This honey comb design increased structural strength over earlier internal belt designs. In addition, it solves the problem of water spilling into the void space, keeping damage contained within the affected cells while preserving the rest of the ship. The ABP propulsion systems have been proposed around nuclear power. The power plant will two B2B nuclear reactors. B2B standing for Battleship, 2nd Generation, Bechtal Marine Propulsion. These reactors will generate steam which will power turbines. The tubrines then generate electricity which is sent throughout the ship by way of an integrated power system (IPS). Four Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) each drive their own screw. With a length of 880 feet, the new hull would be three feet longer than the traditional hull, but the draft and beam of the ship remain the same as the traditional hull.

Classified Following a Ministry of War meeting regarding the BB-X program, it was determined that the earlier proposition for the BB-X program was well thought out, budgeted and designed. However, with the entire superstructure of the BB-X based around 'looking nice', rather than functionality, the decision of the Ministry of War was to implement the proposed changes on actual Iowa Class battleships. Furthermore, it was decided that the ship would not be nuclear powered, but by modernised boiler turbines. A final refinement was made and that was to increase the cannon size from 12'/55 to 14'/55 calibre rifled cannons. Likewise, the decision to construct and commission ten of the ships, newly designated as the Frederik II class battleship followed the Ministries decision. The hulls would be laid down immediately. [url=http://s211.photobucket.com/user/zoot_zoot/media/FrederikIIClass_zps542a17ed.png.html][/URL] Specifications Displacement: 45,000 tons standard / 58,000 tons maximum load Length: 880' Beam: 108' Draft: 35' Propulsion: 4 screws; General Electric geared steam turbines Speed: 33 Knots Range: 14,890 miles Compliment War: 1,500 sailors Armament: 6x 12"/55 cannons 8x 76mm OTO Melara RF guns 6x 20mm Phalanx CIWs 192x Mark 57 missile cells 4x RIM-116 Launchers (84 Missiles)

Ok, I'll ask again, and ill be even more specific, because general answers like that always get brought up at the worst times. I really would like a yes/no answer for simple clarity so there are zero misunderstandings, and so I am not going to write a load of RP it then mean nothing. Original Iowa post 1980 Displacement: 45,000 tons (Standard), 58,000 tons (post 1980s full load) Length: 887 ft (270 m) Beam: 108 ft (33 m) Draft: 36 ft (11 m) maximum Installed power: 212,000 shp (158,000 kW), 8 water-tube boilers Propulsion: 4 screws; General Electric geared steam turbines Speed: 32.5 knots Range: 14,890 miles Complement: 1,800 officers and men (1980s) Electronic warfare & decoys: 1980s: AN/SLQ-32(V) AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Mark 36 SRBOC Cold War, Gulf War armament: 9 × 16-inch / 50 cal. Mark 7 guns 12 × 5-inch/38 cal. Mark 12 guns 32 × BGM-109 Tomahawk 16 × RGM-84 Harpoon 4 × 20 mm (.78 inch).Phalanx CIWS My proposed changes: [spoiler] 'Its sensor suite and electronics would be based on an Ticonderoga Class Cruiser, minus the AEGIS system due to the disruption caused by firing the 14" turrets at the fore and aft of the vessel. The requirement for such a powerful electronics suite is due to the multitude of weapons on board the ship from the big guns, to the Goalkeeper CIWS systems. The suite would keep track of all engaged and targetted hostiles that the vessel is interacting with, as well as providing and recieving data via data linking with other ships in the battlegroup. The downside of a totally digital weapons system is that the big guns cannot be used if the electronics on the BB-X is disrupted/destroyed due to a lack of a backup analogue firing system due to below deck space restrictions. The positioning of the eight 76mm OTO Melara RF guns offer good coverage of the vessel in all directions for surface to surface supression and/or combat, as well as surface to air for hostiles. These guns can fire at a rate of 120 rounds per minute per gun, engaging both air and surface targets. The larger round allows for an increased engagement range over the CIWs weaponry. The CIWS systems, of which there are six, are positioned to offer 360' coverage of the vessel to shoot down any threats. The autonomous nature of the Goalkeeper CIWS means that is operates largely independently of the central electronics suite. Additional close range missile protection is provided by four RIM-116 launchers. These launchers are positioned at all sides of the ship, providing excellent all around firepower. The launcher can engage a variety of incoming anti-ship missiles out to 5.6 mi using its rolling airframe missiles.The system has thus far proven to be extremely effective in its intended role.' [/spoiler] Summary of my proposed changes to an Iowa class battleship: Displacement: 45,000 tons standard / 58,000 tons maximum load Length: 880' Beam: 108' Draft: 35' Propulsion: 4 screws; General Electric geared steam turbines Speed: 33 Knots Range: Compliment War: 1,500 sailors Armament: 6x 14"/55 cannons 8x 76mm OTO Melara RF guns 6x 20mm Phalanx CIWs 192x Mark 57 missile cells 4x RIM-116 Launchers (84 Missiles)