The USS Louisiana (BB-71) was planned to be the last of five Montana-class battleships intended for the United States Navy during the later stages of World War 2. The Montanas were a direct response to the Yamato class and planned German super battleships, fearing that the Iowas would be under-armed and armored. However, with the attacks on Taranto and Pearl Harbour, it became evident that battleships were no longer the centerpiece of modern navies.
If built, she would have been the largest, most protected, and heaviest armed battleship ever to serve in the United States Navy. Alternate design proposals for the Montana-class included eight to twelve massive 18" guns. However, the advantages of selecting the 16" guns were deemed to be better, especially in terms of logistics, and allowed for more commonality with the existing Iowa-class battleships, which in reality became the last of their kind to enter service with the USN.
#us navy #warship #battleship #navy #ship
- Comments