Q&A ยท 2:09:25-2:10:01

Converting a carrier hull into a missile cruiser

A carrier-sized hull could support an enormous missile battery if dock capacity and conversion costs were available.

Question

Could a carrier hull be rebuilt to missile-cruiser standards?

Short answer

Yes, given sufficient dry-dock capacity; a Queen Elizabeth-sized hull could become an exceptionally large missile ship.

Notes

A carrier-sized hull offers exceptional internal volume and deck area for missile conversion. Given sufficient dry-dock capacity, the concept is technically sensible. A Queen Elizabeth-sized hull could carry an enormous vertical-launch battery and become an arsenal-like surface combatant. Similar carrier-to-missile-cruiser ideas were considered for several classes, so the concept is not unique to this counterfactual.