American choices: carriers, fast battleships, or large cruisers

The American options include additional Midway-class carriers, improved carrier designs, Iowa-like fast battleships, and enhanced Alaska-class large cruisers. The slower, heavily armed Montana class might be a poor match for a fast Soviet surface threat. A powerful escort only has to protect its carrier long enough to launch a strike or withdraw. The United States could also choose a dominant battleship if planners wanted a direct surface answer. Several credible responses remain open because speed, protection, cost, and mission pull the fleet in different directions.