Patent ID: 8069800

Claim:
A stealth armed surface ship ( 1 ) comprising: a hull ( 2 ), at least one deck ( 5 , 6 ); an outer casing of an upperworks formed by walls ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 33 , 34 ) of an upper portion of the hull and at least one superstructure ( 3 ), wherein the superstructure is disposed in the central third of the length of the hull in a manner such that the superstructure is substantially centered along the length, and wherein the angles of the bow lines and of the stern lines are symmetrical about the middle of the hull; lower wall portions defined by wall portions of the walls between a line situated less than one meter above a waterline to five meters above the waterline; upper wall portions defined by wall portions of the walls at least five meters above the waterline; the upper wall portions are inclined inwards so that outside faces of the upper wall portions face upwards at angles relative to vertical that are greater than or equal to 20Â°; at least over 50% of the length of the ship comprises the lower wall portions inclined inwards so that outside faces of the lower wall portions face upwards at angles relative to vertical greater than 20Â°; and sensors, transmitters, weapons, and optionally a load-handling means, wherein the sensors and transmitters, the weapons, and the load-handling means are concealed or concealable in or beneath the outer casing of the upperworks.