Q&A ยท 47:19-47:48

Cold War weapons that could sink a battleship

By 1980, nuclear weapons, bombs, and heavy torpedoes gave the United States several ways to attack a battleship.

Question

What weapons did the United States have in 1980 that could sink a battleship?

Short answer

Nuclear weapons, conventional bombs, and torpedoes all provided credible attack options.

Notes

A battleship in 1980 faced more than gunfire from another capital ship. The United States had nuclear weapons, conventional bombs, and torpedoes capable of attacking such a target. Heavy torpedoes remained especially relevant against a large armored hull. The Royal Navy's retention of Second World War-era heavy torpedoes through the Falklands War shows how long that attack option remained useful.