An American and Japanese response could divide into battleships for their expected Pacific war and faster ships for hunting British cruisers. The Lexington design is initially proposed as a good answer to the British fleet because of its speed and armament. That suggestion is immediately challenged on protection: ordinary 9.2-inch guns are said to be capable of penetrating its armor reliably. In that interpretation, the new British cruisers would be dangerous opponents for Lexingtons. The criticism also compares Lexington's internal subdivision and armor concept with the much earlier Invincible class.
Notable Point · 1:55:18-1:57:27
Could Lexington battlecruisers counter British 9.2-inch cruisers?
Lexington's speed suggests a cruiser-hunting role, but the proposal is challenged because its armor is vulnerable to 9.2-inch gunfire.