Lol you are a bit harsh.
Shallow watter warfare is the new frontier and many new Hybrid Diesel subs are specially designed for that battleground (were they can use their silent propulsion as an effective weapon system). This tend to deny the effectiveness of costly and technically challenging nuclear subs and this is why shallow watter warfare has become so important nowadays (with some geo-strategics consideration too).
Surprisingly the all aluminium construction was a challenge for the US Navy despite being a pioneer in that field as early as in the 19th century. A lot of knowledge had been lost with steel construction ruling the post 1973 industry.
Obviously she's not as stealthy has some early Skunk Work darkstar design but I don't think she was designed for the same mission with air dominance as a prerequisite as it seems.
Here it is more in line of the late 19th/early 20th century
Canonière - eg ship that were built to strenghten colonial domination via heavy weaponry fired from large rivers with access from the sea. This were monitoring and deterence weapon. IMHO this new range of ship are in line with the same objectives (although with no colonial backgrd
) .