The space and mission problems in a nuclear missile battleship

Could a shortened Ford-class hull with 12-inch autoloaders, 180 VLS cells, and an F-35 hangar work as a battleship?

Probably not at that size; the proposed weapons and aviation facilities compete for too much volume, and the ship lacks a coherent operational role.

A Ford-class hull shortened by one-third leaves doubtful room for the proposed six 12-inch autoloading guns, 180 VLS cells, close-in defenses, reactors, and eight F-35s. The aircraft need both hangar space and a launching area, while radar and fire control still require a substantial superstructure. Triple 12-inch autoloaders would add development problems, prompting a preference for twin mounts. Helicopters are proposed as more useful for the ship's likely support duties. The combination also needs a clear mission: shore bombardment would bring a reactor-powered ship within reach of coastal defenses. The aircraft variant remains unresolved, leaving another open assumption in the proposed layout.