American fleet combat power still depended on intelligence from ships scouting ahead. The scout cruiser therefore took part in information-led warfare as well as serving as a small gun platform and destroyer leader. Its reconnaissance duties moved into the light-cruiser type as the ships evolved. Treaty restrictions on light cruisers could consequently affect the fleet's ability to find an enemy and form an accurate tactical picture.
Notable Point · 8:32-9:12
Information warfare and treaty-limited scouts
American scout cruisers were conceived as information collectors for the battle fleet, making treaty limits on their light-cruiser successors operationally important.