Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:24:29

Cruiser development without interwar size limits

Removing hull-size limits would encourage larger heavy cruisers while leaving a distinct fast six-inch light-cruiser role.

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Question

How might cruiser development change without interwar displacement limits?

Short answer

Heavy cruisers would grow and perhaps adopt 9.2-inch guns, while fast six-inch light cruisers would still fill a separate role.

Notes

Gun limits could survive even if interwar displacement limits disappeared. Heavy cruisers might then grow toward 15,000-16,000 tons and possibly adopt 9.2-inch weapons. Six-inch ships would remain useful as smaller, fast cruisers with strong torpedo batteries. The result would be a clearer split between large heavy cruisers and light cruisers resembling enlarged destroyers.