Naval engineer Francesco Rotundi's preliminary design turns the reconstruction idea into a concrete package. It raises displacement to 23,700 tons, lengthens the ship from 175 to 210 meters, and installs modern machinery driving two shafts for an intended 29 knots. Removing the center turret cuts the battery from thirteen guns to ten and frees space for the wider redesign. The remaining weapons could stay at 305 mm with higher muzzle velocity or be enlarged to 320 mm with heavier projectiles and charges. Ten barrels were intended to offset some of the individual-gun advantage held by Dunkerque's eight 330 mm weapons.
Notable Point · 5:32-6:42
Rotundi redesigns the Cavour hull and armament
Francesco Rotundi's preliminary design lengthens the hull, replaces the machinery, removes the center turret, and compares reworked 305 mm and 320 mm main guns.