Q&A · 2:58:37-2:59:42

Would the Royal Navy develop command cruisers?

Command facilities may fit naturally into larger light carriers or heavy cruisers, making a Dido-sized dedicated command cruiser less attractive.

Question

Would the Royal Navy still develop command cruisers, or place command facilities in light carriers?

Short answer

The command role survives, but larger light carriers or heavy cruisers are more plausible hosts than small Dido-like command cruisers.

Notes

Purpose-built peacetime light carriers have more internal volume than emergency wartime designs and can include a proper flag plot and command spaces. Much larger future cruisers can also host staffs without sacrificing as much fighting capability. Command functions therefore have room to grow, but small Dido-like cruisers are unlikely to remain the preferred hull. A mission can survive even when the historical ship category chosen to perform it disappears.