File:New Alliance CL Version 3.jpg

Summary
Final version of the new Union CL. I wanted to get it in before Devil's Due comes out, in case it's in it, to see how close, or far, I am from what actually comes off the ways. Some assumptions: 1. It'll be a 4-piper, in line with the books & Reddy's familiarity with the Omaha class CLs. 2. It will use most, if not all, of Amagi's remaining 5.5" & 25mm artillery.  With the 4 DDs as well as this being built, they should be out of 25mm AAA until they start producing some version of one, either a copy or a simpler design such as a Hotchkiss type. For rapid construction, I went with the materials they already have, so they don't have to develop anything new.  So no turrets, just tub & shield mounts, existing engines, boilers, secondaries, the new quad torpedo tubes etc.. I'm using two of Amagi's secondary directors as the main battery director's on this ship. I'm also saving space & weight by limiting the depth charges to two K-guns on pivots to deal with mountain fish.  Her escorts should deal with any ASW actions. I named it USS Union, since the DDs & DEs are being named after dead heroes & the large vessels seem to be named for battles, I figured they'd come up with something for the new class. Since they have just birthed a nation, I dropped back to some of the names of the old original USN frigates (President, United States, Congress, Constitution etc.), and with a nod to the new union went with that.