joshuatree
Captain
Maybe a new set of multiband AESA system with 8 or more panels could justify a larger hull. Otherwise it's just cramming 2 052D eggs into a single basket.
Now that is food for thought.
I think we are going to see something of a traditional hull form, with stealth characteristics, perhaps two 64 cell VLS (one fore and the other aft) perhaps a Type 730/FN-3000L CIWS mix, a helicopter hanger capable of two helos, and as to the radars, probably something along the lines of the Type 052D, and if that design is scalable, perhaps one a bit bigger.
These pics comes close to something I would imagine (except I believe there will be two 64 cell VLS, a two helicopter hanger, and one Type 730 CIWS too):
I wouldn't say a conventional, non-Zumwalt hull 055 would merely be just cramming two 052Ds into one basket. A conventional hull 055 can have more of the features already mentioned - more stealth characteristics, more VLS cells, capacity for two helos, larger AESA radar. However, I like to add that it can also sport advancements internally that can be along the lines of the Zumwalt. Larger and more powerful sonar, electric drive propulsion, more automation with reduced crew.