Battleships?

Question

In this day of advanced Technology's, why wont the US build a new version of the Battleship?, I mean it does not have to be as big as the WW II versions like the Iowa Class maybe something in the 18,000 to 24,000 ton range like the older WWI ships was?, I mean we should have a least some type of support ship that could fit the bill for the modern age, but then of course I just like Battleships! lol.

Answer 1

The big guns on the battleships have been outclassed by the missile age. Those big guns could only fire up to 30 miles ... missiles go several times farther. They could redesign them to fire missiles but the guided missile frigate already does the job ... and at a lot less cost. It's a shame ... I love the big battle wagons, too. They did use two battleships during Operation Desert Storm ... awesome!!

Answer 2

The role of the Battleship had changed significantly during World War 2. Where before it had been the center point of the fleet, it was not the primary support for the Carriers. They were still crucial, because nothing else could equal a battleship if it managed to get within range. So both sides still had to have them to protect their carriers from enemy ships. Also, since they were huge gun platforms, they also mounted huge numbers of Anti-Aircraft guns, which were necessary to defend yourself from air attack.

Also, the big guns were great for bombarding enemy fortifications when preparing for an amphibious assault.

In the years since WW2 the Iowa class Battleships have undergone many refits to keep them useful. They have participated in every major conflict from Korea all the way up to Dessert Storm.

But they are very old ships and have since been mothballed. Partly from lack of mission, partly from danger to crew, but mostly due to enormous cost.

As to a modern Battleship: As much as I'd like to see it, I doubt it will happen. Missile technology as largely replace guns in naval warfare. Although the 3 and 5 inch guns on modern ships are quite impressive themselves.

But with the changes in attitude regarding collateral damage makes large scale bombardments unpopular, so big guns aren't as useful for that. And since missile far out range them, it's hard to justify the costs.

Answer 3

I think you answered your own question in the first half of the first sentence: this is the age of advanced technology. By the time a battleship gets into range to fire the guns (10-20mi.), the enemy would already have launched a barrage of cruise missiles (range 100's to 1000's mi), sinking the battleship in a few hits. Also, shells have a high arcing trajectory, meaning with modern ships' radar guided guns like the Phalanx gatling precision guns which destroy incoming ordnance, a barrage of, say, 9 shells could be destroyed in mid-air by 20mm ammunition in a few short seconds!!! Shells also can't lock onto target, so you'd have to anticipate the targeted ship's speed and heading, not so with cruise missiles which lock onto target. There are support ships in the Navy, and there are a bunch of them, all centered around the Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (U.S. only). There are also aircraft carriers that are smaller that carry helicopters with marines for amphibious operations. Some other countries operate aircraft carriers (France has the only one that is a size and role match for U.S. Supercarriers, and they only made one of them, but it has mechanical problems and is old and outdated) and Britain has small carriers like U.S. amphibious carriers, that are half jet aircraft operated and half amphibious transports. There are refueling and resupply ships, submarines, and destroyers and destroyer escorts. Modern ships DO have guns on them, but they are smaller, more accurate, and fast firing with autoloading.

Answer 4

Tooday's cruisers, light and heavy, largely fill the role battleships used to. Experience has shown that air power is the key strategy in today's conflicts, so the bulk of expenditures in capital ships is for aircraft carriers. True, nothing is more impressive than the sight of an Iowa class battlewagon, but it must be remembered that one aircraft from one aircraft carrier can send it to the bottom. Battleships in WWII, and Korea were used for offshore bombardment, but even the most intense offshore bombardment failed to thwart enemy resistance, e.g. Iwo Jima was bombarded for 48 consecutive hours and very few Japanese were knocked out. And, if your on ther high seas and need to destroy an enemy's fleet, aircraft are the way to go.

Answer 5

It is called a missile cruiser, faster than a battleship, standing off a much greater distance with anti-missile missiles for defense. Battleships were out of date after the battle of Jutland in WWI and America did not suffer by the sinking of most of hers in Pearl Harbor, WWII being an aircraft carrier war at sea. Missile artillery from the sea does not suffer from the expensive need to redo the barrels after a few hundred shots.

Answer 6

They would be sitting ducks for the jet powered aircraft & advance submarine.

The battleships are not suitable for frontline fighting, unless heavily escorted which would be a liability. In any case, they'd still pack a heavy punch where artillery is concerned & are less vulnerable to counter-artillery strike.

Answer 7

the need for a platform was needed before the introduction of the tomahawk missile which can be fired from all types of surface and underwater ships.your battle ship is now a item of the past given the advent of the airplane and the tom toms.