Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:46:56-2:47:43

A Ford-sized battleship could carry twelve 18-inch guns

Carrier-scale displacement could support twelve 18-inch guns, more than 30 knots, and extensive protection whose thickness depends on future armor technology.

18-inch GunsArmourBattleshipsGerald R. Ford Class Aircraft CarriersWarship Design
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Question

What capabilities could an 18-inch-gun battleship at Gerald R. Ford displacement have?

Short answer

Roughly twelve 18-inch guns, more than 30 knots, and heavy protection, with exact armor thickness dependent on material technology.

Notes

At roughly Gerald R. Ford displacement, a battleship could carry twelve 18-inch guns. It could exceed 30 knots while retaining a very large armor allocation. Exact belt and deck thickness cannot be stated without knowing how armor metallurgy developed in this alternate history. Improved material might provide the same protection with less thickness or allow more protection for the same weight. The weapons-and-speed package is plausible, while the armor details remain unknowable.