Twenty-eight knots was adequate for a fast battleship in the battle line but insufficient for the strategic mobility of carrier task forces. British and American exercises had explored combined carrier-capital formations, and wartime operations quickly made their higher speed demands real. North Carolinas, South Dakotas, Iowas, and upgraded older ships already supplied battle-fleet strength, so Montana would duplicate a filled role. A faster Iowa-like design would have had a stronger case for completion, much as Alaska's speed made it useful alongside carriers.
Chapter · 59:10-1:07:19
Why 28 knots made Montana expendable
Montana could not fill the scarce fast-carrier escort role, while existing ships already covered the battle line.