On Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:53:32 -0700, "Sal M. Onella"
wrote:

Absurdity or no, a "stealthing" technique for the Arleigh Burke class
of destroyers involves sharply limiting the radar cross-section by not
installing vertical structures, including most, if not all, the antennas.

See this picture, which is typical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:U...iterranean.jpg

You can clearly see two pairs of tilted HF whips, one pair amidships and
another pair on the stern. This same stealthing technique is being
employed on the new LPD-17 class.

I would say that they are in the typical sea-swept configuration, not
found on the Fletcher Class Destroyers of my duty, but mixed in with
the designs of, say, the later Barry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USS_Barry.jpg
Where you can nearly see two tilted HF whips, one amidships and
another behind the aft stack (actually both are behind their
respective stacks, as are the stacks sea-swept). The design of
reduced right angles is a staple in the "tripod masts." Obviously,
these 50 year old features were in place for reasons of their own that
were separate from radar silhouette considerations. Further, the
largest silhouette would be broadsides where the whips in ALL these
pictures are at 90 degrees to the beam.

I would also note that the Zumwalt Destroyer Class (as represented in
graphics) lacks any vertical whip antennas at any angle.

However, returning to my own recent shipboard experience and antennas
there, I will later today post a link to a dozen or so pictures. It
will include shots of Guss' Loops. I dare say several of these
pictures will provoke much head scratching (but only to those few
actually interested in antennas here in this forum).

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC