Small and modular. Made out of steel and composite materials. Not aluminum. Capable of taking a hit and staying in the fight. And then being swapped out of the line and replaced by another. Frigates. Like Old Ironsides during the days of sail. And lots of them.
My great-etc grandfather was the captain of the USS Constitution. I Watched her sail under her own power in 2012...Quite a stirring sight.
double hull catamaran modular design - available in 3 to 5 hull size configurations.
Mid level and higher customized to meet the mission / intent of the ship.
swapable power and water generation plants
“...Frigates. Like Old Ironsides during the days of sail. And lots of them.”
A misreading of what “Old Ironsides” (USS Constitution) actually was. Fails to recall how she got her nickname.
Designed by Joshua Humphreys, USS Constitution was built bigger & heavier than typical frigates of the late 18th century, mounting so many guns that some navy-watchers suggested she ought to be a fifth- or sixth-rate “ship of the line” (as battleships were termed then). Her hull contour and square yardage of spreadable canvas permitted her to outspeed all other warships and match other frigates.
British Royal Navy captains found - to their discomfiture - that Constitution could bring their frigates to battle, during which her main armament (with greater numbers of “long guns”) could outrange their carronades (large caliber, but of lower velocity); solid shot fired from RN carronades were observed to bounce off her sides, greatly boosting the morale of her sailors and earning her nickname.
When Constitution and her sister ships were being designed, Humphreys ran into resistance: his “super frigates” would cost more per ship; many naval authorities and government officials wanted smaller, simpler vessels in greater numbers. He refused to compromise and got enough leaders to back him; the strength & seaworthiness of his ships occasioned a lot of notice around the globe, before they went into action and cemented his reputation. And - not so incidentally - proved the courage of American sailors, and the prowess and professionalism of the fledgling US Navy.
Joshua Humphreys was a Quaker. The Society of Friends ultimately kicked him out because he built such fine weapons of war.
Negates Redmen4ever’s final point about “Lots of them.”
I think this is a sound approach. We need to be able to build them quickly and in great number. They need to be able to take a hit and return to port where they can either be used for spare parts for others that are still in the fight, or repaired quickly and returned to service.
They need to be able to be able of moving quickly when needed, but slower and quieter as well. Silence is needed prior to engagement, and speed is needed when the SHTF.