What happens if every United States cruiser is replaced by a Des Moines-class ship in December 1941?
Short answerAmerican radar and rapid 8-inch firepower become overwhelming, though early-war command errors would still prevent perfect use of the new ships.
NotesThe counterfactual replaces every American light and heavy cruiser on 10 December 1941 with a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser. Their rapid-firing 8-inch guns and modern radar would create an enormous surface-combat advantage in every theater where cruisers served. Better detection might also reduce the surprise achieved by Japanese Long Lance torpedo attacks. The panel cautions that early-war American captains and doctrine would not become instantly more skillful merely because their ships were superior. Even with that limitation, Japanese surface forces would face a radically more dangerous opponent.