We all know that in the 1980's the US Navy reactivated the Iowa class battleships.
Now, the Iowas may or may not be the perfect choice for this type of reactivation and I have seen may threads where it is mentioned that other ship classes (if still around and in good enough shape) may have been a better choice for reactivation.
What I ask is this, if the following ship classes were around* in the 1980's...
Baltimore class cruiser
Des Moines class cruiser
Oregon City class cruiser
Iowa class battleship
Alaska class cruiser
...which would be the best candidate for reactivation?
***PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE POSTING A RESPONSE***
*1. All ships to be considered (3/4 from each class) are in equally good condition (to make a level playing field)
2. All ships must receive upgraded electronics (radar, communications, automation)
3. All ships must receive Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles (2x4 Harpoon, 2x4 in ABL for Tomahawks minimum)
4. All ships must receive CIWS (type up to you, minimum 2, maximum 4)
5. Crew size is a consideration (see automation under # 2)
6. These are considered the basics, consider the time the reactivation was done and what was around to do it with (money included!) and work accordingly
Remember that the first goal is to have a ship that can dish out a lot of naval gunfire support, the secondary goal is to be a missile platform, the third goal (by quite a bit) is to have a big ship to put next to the Kirov class.
This ship will not be asked to go into a med/high threat environment alone, if that is the case it will be provided air cover or SAM support (from a DDG or FFG) so don't go nuts with point defense missiles and the like.
What do you think? Which choice is best?
I have my own favorite, which I will reveal down the road.
Now, the Iowas may or may not be the perfect choice for this type of reactivation and I have seen may threads where it is mentioned that other ship classes (if still around and in good enough shape) may have been a better choice for reactivation.
What I ask is this, if the following ship classes were around* in the 1980's...
Baltimore class cruiser
Des Moines class cruiser
Oregon City class cruiser
Iowa class battleship
Alaska class cruiser
...which would be the best candidate for reactivation?
***PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE POSTING A RESPONSE***
*1. All ships to be considered (3/4 from each class) are in equally good condition (to make a level playing field)
2. All ships must receive upgraded electronics (radar, communications, automation)
3. All ships must receive Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles (2x4 Harpoon, 2x4 in ABL for Tomahawks minimum)
4. All ships must receive CIWS (type up to you, minimum 2, maximum 4)
5. Crew size is a consideration (see automation under # 2)
6. These are considered the basics, consider the time the reactivation was done and what was around to do it with (money included!) and work accordingly
Remember that the first goal is to have a ship that can dish out a lot of naval gunfire support, the secondary goal is to be a missile platform, the third goal (by quite a bit) is to have a big ship to put next to the Kirov class.
This ship will not be asked to go into a med/high threat environment alone, if that is the case it will be provided air cover or SAM support (from a DDG or FFG) so don't go nuts with point defense missiles and the like.
What do you think? Which choice is best?
I have my own favorite, which I will reveal down the road.
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