[spetznaz]

Is it just me or is the upcoming US Navy DD-21 Zumwalt Class multi-mission destroyers, bound to enter service in 2012, look like an amalgamation of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (the Merrimack)?

Obviously there is no comparison between the DD-21 and the Monitor/Virginia vessels since comparing the DD-21 to the Monitor is like comparing a sailing sloop with an aircraft carrier .....however based solely on external looks (and removing aspects like size, capabilities, tech, weaponry etc etc) do they not look rather similar?

Well, here are the pictures:

First up the DD-21 Zumwalt Class multi-mission Destroyer:

And now for a medley of photos depicting the Monitor, a post office stamp of the Monitor versus the Virginia, the USS Atlanta (ex-CSS atlanta) and the CSS Virginia in that order:

[Arkinsaw]

Here is one that is pretty close:

[P8riot]

The resemblance is not coincidental. An old college buddy of mine is a naval architect who was part of a staff of designers that were working on the DD-21 design. They were looking for a design that was stealthy, stable in rough seas (i.e. low center of gravity), and able to carry a significant payload. They studied all kinds of ships, but after looking at the old ironclads realized just how far ahead of their time they were. I won't say that they set out to copy the design, but they added the 20th/21st century improvements, and came up with this design.

Funny how the more things change, the more they remain the same.

The War of Northern Aggression (sorry yanks, but it's true) gave us a great many improvements in the art of war, many of which are still in use in one form or another to this day.

[stainlessbanner]

Looks like the boys at ARPA and LockMart were thinkin' the same thing!

[WhiskeyPapa]

Is it just me or is the upcoming US Navy DD-21 Zumwalt Class multi-mission destroyers, bound to enter service in 2012, look like an amalgamation of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (the Merrimack)?

Not only that, but I hear all three had completely passive sensor systems.

Walt

[lizma]

"Is it just me or is the upcoming US Navy DD-21 Zumwalt Class multi-mission destroyers, bound to enter service in 2012, look like an amalgamation of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (the Merrimack)? "

Good point. Very good point.

History repeats itself. Something libs prefer to ignore.