Q&A · 2:40:22-2:41:03

Could the North Carolina class enter service earlier?

The class already moved from launch to commission in roughly ten or eleven months, leaving little safe room for a dramatic acceleration.

Naval Procurement North Carolina Class Battleships Shipbuilding US Navy

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Question

Could the United States rush the North Carolina-class battleships into service?

Short answer

Only marginally, if at all; their historical post-launch completion was already very fast for battleships.

Notes

Both North Carolina-class battleships were launched in June 1940 and commissioned roughly ten or eleven months later. Their already rapid completion leaves little obvious room to accelerate the schedule. Earlier American entry therefore cannot be assumed to deliver these ships much sooner.