If missiles were loaded into battleships, would they become as effective as aircraft carriers?

Question

I still think that battleships can be put to good use. Yes, aircraft carriers are more useful because they carry planes and planes gives you alot of advantage in battles. They are also somehow faster than other marine transportations. As a result, battleships are becoming obsolete and no countries in the world are producing it anymore. But what if you can add missiles to it? Missiles are faster and some can travel at a longer distance than planes. If you used it properly, it can also be very accurate. It can also save more lives ( you need pilots in planes). So, wouldn't this make battleships as good as, or even better than, aircraft carriers? Just wondering. I mean, if there are better things, then of course I would encourage the use of those things. It is just that I think battleships shouldn't be eliminated yet.

Also, couldn't you just add speed to the battleships?

and i think that missiles cannot be added to aircraft carriers

Answer 1

First of all, missiles had been launched off BB's for thier last 20 years. All 4 Iowa class BB's were fitted with ABL's (Armoured Box Launchers)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armored_Box_Launcher
2nd of all, the battleships were not etired because of weapons capability. They were retired because they were too expensive to upgrade to advanced engineering plants to increase thier speed and manuvering. The more modern cruisers and Destroyers can carry more missiles and move faster than the BB ever could. It is unfair to compare the BB with a CVN. Thier misson roles are very different. However if you insist on comparing, in todays money oriented military, the BB would be as if not more expensive to run than a CVN. Remember, CVN does not need to refuel. The only fuel onboard is for the planes. Now don't get me wrong, I am not against the BB. I think it still has a role in todays Navy. But I am just thankful they are at least museums now and not scrapped or used as a target.

Answer 2

Sounds like you need to do your research. Apples and oranges is what you are comparing here and both types of ships does or has had missiles.

Carriers have 2 types of missiles
Battleships had missiles

Carriers and battleships were never designed to do the same job. They both do or did the job they were designed to do the best.

You can't just have one instead of the other.

AND, the US Navy does not have any active duty battleships so why are we even talking about this. If you want to be nostalgic go visit one of the many battleship museums across the country.

Answer 3

The problem with missiles vs aircraft is that you can easily change or abort a mission of an aircraft but it is not so easy to do this for a missile. And it's not just destructive power of a missile vs an attack by planes, there is a strong psychological effect of having high performance fighter/attack aircraft routinely flying over your city. Sure, missiles are scary, but having an F/A 18 make a low fast pass over your house is even scarier, especially when you government isn't able to do anything to stop it.

Answer 4

Missiles are installed on Cruisers and Frigates. There is no need for battleships anymore ; they are too large and expensive too build.
A ship of this size serves no useful purpose when the same weapons can be installed on smaller ships. Some of the Missouri class battleships were fitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles during the 80's but this did not stop them being phased out. Aircraft carriers have to be large because of the flight deck requirements.

Answer 5

like some said smaller ships can do the same thing as a battleship by adding missles, its more cost effective, but a aircraft carrier is basically a mobile airport, an can be used anywhere in the world to project power, as some said planes can be recalled once in the air. or used for several different purpose's like recon or testing territorial bondries, for freedom of navigation. as in libia with reagan, its not just a question of sending in bombs, its also a deturant, that a battleship or any other ship cant do.

Answer 6

WE already HAVE Guided Missile Destroyers :P

Actually The first time a missile has been deployed from a ship against another ship was when the Egyptian destroyer(forgot the name) sunk the Israeli Eilat.

If you mean against Land targets..They do that too.

And they both have different missions ;)

And carrier can and DO carry other weapons. Russian carriers though carry weaponry including thier air craft. (well they still do carry less aircraft than ours)

Answer 7

Battle ships are obsolete. Our military can already fire nuclear missiles from them but they don't because, we don't need them, and we have the fleet of Trident subs carrying MK 12 war heads. Anyone of which can level any country in the World in a matter of hours. We have about 12 of these beauties all over the World that run silent and deep 24/7. That is not to mention our fleet of nuclear attack class subs and our advanced long-rang bombers, anyone of which can also take out an entire city in a single blown. However, it'll take them longer to reach their targets. No son, we don't need the battleship any more. Keep on thinking safety though.

Answer 8

The last Navy battleship the USS Missouri was decommissioned about 10 years ago now. We have smaller, faster, more economical boats now that have twice the fire power. Like missile frigates, AEGIS, etc.

Answer 9

Battleships are dinosaurs, and they do have missiles. Remember this, missiles cannot be recalled. Battleships outlived their use a long time ago. When bombers can leave Missouri, bomb Baghdad and be back for breakfast they have a distinct advantage.

Answer 10

if engineers worked on the decks, i think they could be ruthless, especially if we donated our 4 iowa class battle ships to israel so that they can have a small navy and always be off the coast of syria,jordon,palistine and lebanon.i have heard the u s s new jersey firing all three 16 in guns into the dmz in vietnam when i was a marine in the quang tri province,talk about raining hell !