Navy electric ship

Saw this on Gizmag.

http://www.gizmag.com/go/4495/picture/14235/

What is the purpose of that big bulb on the bow?

 

sonar equipment

 

That is a scale ship built a Dakota creek to test acoustics, It is being tested at lake pend. Where most secret sub and ship design is tested for stealth. The lake is great for sound acoustics , It is deep and the U.S. and Canada have had a base there since the second world war. I believe it is correct , sonar will be housed in the full size ship bulb.

 

IT also looks like it be a form of submerged stabilizing pod, like a semi swath. It is kind of big. Notice they mention silent submerged jets, but show conventional kind. It is also very narrow for its length, they should call it Needlefish.

 

This bow dome is for sonar equipment. This hullform is baed on the DDG1000 and was built as a test platform underwater discharge waterjets. It was powered by electric motors and batteries so acoustic measurements could be made without contamination from diesel motor noise.

 

It is likely multi purpose.

Interesting how they placed the tower on the lower aft deck.

 

It comes down fully.