A larger next-generation gun is the proposed American response to a British Queen Elizabeth type armed with 16.5-inch weapons. In this counterfactual, the United States would probably finish its planned 14-inch ships while redirecting later gun development from 16 inches to 18 inches. A Tillman maximum-battleship design is rejected as an unlikely response. In this interpretation, Britain competes with Germany in fleet size, while American competition with Britain emphasizes individual ship quality. American 16-inch development is linked to Britain's adoption of 15-inch guns, suggesting another British increase could provoke a further step. That reaction remains uncertain, while the risk of damaging Anglo-American relations gives Britain a reason for restraint.
Notable Point · 2:10:47-2:22:57
How might the United States answer Queen Elizabeth Maximus?
A hypothetical American response to Queen Elizabeth Maximus would retain planned 14-inch ships while pursuing an 18-inch successor, though that reaction remains uncertain.