Riviving the Battleship, Is there any point?
- Thread starter Birdman70
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No I can't see any role for a modern style battleship. The closest we'll ever get to a "Guided Missile Battleship/BBG" is the Kirov class and they haven't been a major success in service. The emphasis nowadays is on multi mission ships, a battleship is probably too specialised.
More or less, yeh. The range for firing shells / main canon at the enemy is now far shorter than a guided missile. Battleship now has little use other than offshore bombardment platform, but even that can be taken over by Aircraft carrier with aerial bombardment, or missile frigates.
Another thought here, look at the CGX its massive by modern warship stnadards at 14000T and profoundly exspeanive. and its an uncertain if its going to be built and/or biult in any numbers. Size = increased cost and its just not the weay thwe world it going and do not think the USN has unlimited funds, beleive me some very lean times are coming forth, even by there standards.
The trouble with this is that you would almost certainly end up with a ship that could do neither job efficiently. I wouldn't like to take a 'carrier' in close for a fire support mission as the vulnerable flight deck and hanger areas could be subject to shorebased counterfire. Likewise the carriers ability to support a reasonable airgroup would be compromised by the 'battleship' part of the design. I do accept that missiles mean a fire support ship can stand some distance off shore but why would you need a 'battleship' size vessel for this?
In WW2 proposals were studied to complete a 'Lion' class battleship (RN) as a hybrid and the French looked at completing Jean Bart as a hybrid. Nothing came of these proposals as it was realised that specialist carriers and battleships would be far more effective. Following the loss of four carriers at Midway the Japanese Navy converted two battleships to hybrids but they are not believed to have actually carried aircraft operationally, the aircraft space being given over to additional AA guns.
Tony Gibbons, The Complete Encyclopedia of Battleships and Battlecruisers, Salamander Books Ltd, London, 1983, and
Hansgeorg, Jentschura, Dieter Jung and Peter Mikel, Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869 - 1945, Arms and Armour Press, London, 1977
Cheers
I recall the USN had plans to convert the New Jersey to operate VSTOL fighters in the '80s. How serious this was I don't know but I do remember seeing a line drawing of the conversion with the aft turret replaced by a flight deck with ski jumps either side of the funnel... Must now find that book!
Out of interest anyone know if it was cancelled due to expense or limited application? Of course, if I have dreamt up the whole thing just ignore me...
abramsteve
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I remember reading of that idea and even seeing a model of the proposed conversion.
Bring them back for no other reason than they look good. Other than that Ive fought this battle too many times
Bring them back for no other reason than they look good. Other than that Ive fought this battle too many times
As has been stated by a number of members - this one has been flogged to death.
If you're interested then do a search for prev threads.
This one however is getting euthenased.
If you're interested then do a search for prev threads.
This one however is getting euthenased.
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