Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 32:23-32:47

How a larger Ticonderoga lineage could enlarge Type 81

Using the larger Boston conversion as the American design baseline would encourage a larger British Type 81 counterpart and might extend the cruiser's service life.

CruisersFrigatesShip DesignTiconderoga Class CruisersType 81 FrigateUSS Boston
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Question

What would change if USS Boston rather than the Spruance class became the basis for Ticonderoga?

Short answer

Ticonderoga and the related Type 81 concept would likely grow, and the added space could give the American cruisers a longer service life.

Notes

The counterfactual replaces the Spruance-derived hull behind Ticonderoga with the larger USS Boston conversion concept. That change would push a corresponding Type 81 design upward in size because allied comparison and standardization pressures would operate around a bigger cruiser. More internal volume could also make later upgrades easier. Boston-based Ticonderogas might therefore have remained useful for longer than the historical ships.