How might a modern 16-inch-gun battleship be arranged for service today?
Short answerIt would likely place the heavy guns forward, combine missile and aviation facilities aft, and make propulsion and shock protection central design choices.
NotesA plausible layout puts two twin or triple 16-inch turrets forward, a missile battery amidships, and a helicopter hangar aft. Propulsion is the central trade-off. Nuclear power offers endurance and electrical capacity, while gas turbines would need careful isolation from the shock of heavy-gun fire. An all-forward King George V layout offers the historical analogy because it would have left more room for later missiles and helicopter operations. That flexibility could have extended the class's service life. The design works only if a navy pays for armour, power, and survivability together.