Q&A ยท 10:38:23-10:39:27

What a modernized Alaska-class large cruiser might retain

The imagined reconstruction retains the forward guns and trades the aft turret for space supporting modern systems and helicopters.

Question

What would the US Navy do if five mint-condition Alaska-class large cruisers appeared at Norfolk today?

Short answer

The proposed reconstruction keeps the forward heavy guns while adding new propulsion, radar, missiles, close-in weapons, and helicopter provision.

Notes

The question imagines five mint-condition Alaska-class ships arriving at Norfolk. The response proposes a major reconstruction while retaining their forward heavy guns. Suggested changes include gas turbines and electric drive, a version of SPY radar, vertical-launch cells, and close-in weapons. Removing the aft turret would provide space for systems and provision for helicopter operations. Some five-inch guns might also be replaced with three-inch weapons. These are speculative alterations to the imagined arrivals, not a stated Navy modernization program.