Late-1920s designers could resume early-postwar capital-ship work with much of their expertise, doctrine and strategic purpose intact. Their appreciation of the air threat had yet to reach its mid-1930s level, but improvements in propulsion and steel changed what could fit within a given displacement. Lighter machinery released weight for protection. More compact and lighter powered mountings could replace manual mountings or allow additional weapons to be fitted. Alongside adjustments to layouts, these component savings explain how designs of similar or lower displacement could offer more capability than their early-1920s predecessors.
Notable Point · 1:57:14-1:59:04
How lighter components improved late-1920s battleship designs
Machinery and mounting weight savings gave late-1920s designers more room for armour and weapons without proportionately larger ships.