Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:05:34

Could the Alaska class serve in a modern US Navy?

A speculative modernisation turns an Alaska-class large cruiser into a status ship with missiles, helicopters, and a heavily rebuilt propulsion plant.

Alaska Class Large CruisersMissile CruisersModernisationNaval Force StructureUS Navy
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Question

How could the US Navy use an Alaska-class cruiser appearing in the modern day?

Short answer

As a modernised status ship with VLS, helicopters, and new machinery; nuclear conversion would be too close to building a new ship.

Notes

The panel would retain Alaska's forward gun turrets while removing much of the old superstructure and stern equipment. The rebuilt ship could receive a vertical-launch system, modern gas turbines, sensors, and facilities for helicopters. That would create a conspicuous status ship able to visit places where deploying a carrier would be excessive. A nuclear conversion is rejected because it would require rebuilding so much of the hull that a new ship would make more sense. Successful service could nevertheless reopen the argument for a purpose-built nuclear cruiser with ample electrical power for future weapons.