[BenLurkin]

Agreed. Very survivable platforms and big enough to carry just about every weapon system we have.

Take the four of them out of mothballs, put in nuclear power plants, equip with Aegis (or most modern equivqlent). replace one turret with missle launchers, order brand new ammo for the main batteries and line the sides with phalanx guns.

Wish we had the money.

[-=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-]

VIDEO


http://clients.mediaondemand.net/speakeasy/type45.wvx

[ironwoodchuck]

It would be a hell of a lot cheaper than what we're doing now. The main reason brass and contractors seem to hate the battleships is not enough money/pork in it.

Me, I'd keep two of the 16" turrets and put one of Gerald Bull's super guns on the third turret for shooting people I really, really, really didn't like. I'd probably keep two of the double 5" mounts on either side, updated, and make the rest of the 5" mounts into phalanx systems. All of that would leave plenty of room for Tomahawks and anything else appropriate.

[Non-Sequitur]

Take the four of them out of mothballs, put in nuclear power plants, equip with Aegis (or most modern equivqlent). replace one turret with missle launchers, order brand new ammo for the main batteries and line the sides with phalanx guns.

If you're going to do that it's cheaper to start from scratch.

[ken5050]

I was astonished to learn that we no longer have the industrial capacity to manufacture the steel in the necessary thickness for the armor belt of the battleships..