Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 15:04-15:36

A twelve-gun Alaska still needs a distinct mission

Adding four more 12-inch guns would make Alaska formidable at its intended task, but would not solve the problem that an Iowa could perform more roles.

Alaska Class Large CruisersForce StructureLarge CruisersUS Navy
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Question

What does a modified Alaska with four triple 12-inch turrets offer?

Short answer

It would be capable in the large-cruiser role, but that role still has to justify building it instead of an Iowa.

Notes

A four-turret Alaska would be a powerful ship for the mission assigned to the large-cruiser concept. The design still needs a combat role that another type cannot fill easily. Alaska's historical problem is that an Iowa-class battleship could do much of the same work and considerably more besides. More guns improve the design's combat power without automatically improving its institutional justification.