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A definite improvement in some key areas- looks from the models like the stern ramp remains, but with the fuller superstructure there's greater volume all around. In fact if the length has remained constant she has bulked out considerably.

Stern mission bay still labelled in this image http://www.navyrecognitio...ombat_ship_blueprint.jpg

And visible on this model: http://www.navyrecognitio..._frigate_dsei_2011_2.JPG

Though to be honest the deck level of the flight deck is not consistent across these images.

I wonder if the fully enclosed hull/superstructure now in evidence provides for a mechanically stiffer hull girder, and the stepping up for the CIWs distributed the stresses forward so avoiding the cracking that's been a perennial issue from the 42s onwards (it's not just us, apparently the Burkes are even more prone to it). It did surprise me when the 23s reverted to a conventional flush deck, especially given their purported design emphasis on low observables. I'd be very interested if a board member more versed in the marine architecture issues at play were to outline the key considerations.

I'm also intrigued by those "outriggers" aft for (I am assuming) the small calibre self defense guns. Not a bad idea in principle, and unlikely to be at all a problem in docking, but that sort of feature would potentially cause quite a change in the airflow over the flight deck. I wonder how mature as a design feature it is, and whether it's been tested for various wind states. From a functional point of view one would be tempted to use features like that to hose some sort of RAS gear, but then again, the flight deck is typically in action at the same time as RAS is going on to shift dry stores, so perhaps that's not the best idea going.

See MSR, there's always more to waffle about here!