Battleships' Lasting Voyage: The Reasons Behind Their Departure from Modern Naval Warfare
Story by Ava Chen • 3w •
The majesty of battleships has long captivated the minds of naval enthusiasts and military strategists alike. However, with the evolution of modern warfare, these titans of the sea have been relegated to the annals of naval history, their cannons silenced, their armor outmatched by new forms of conflict. The U.S. Navy’s relationship with battleships, once the pride of its fleet, is a telling saga of technological innovation, cost analysis, and strategic recalibration that reflects broader changes in military doctrine.
The prominence of battleships peaked during the World Wars, with behemoths like the Japanese Yamato and Musashi wielding unprecedented firepower and size. However, as warfare has undergone a technological revolution, the drawbacks of these once-dominant vessels have become starkly apparent. The U.S. Navy has recognized that the role of battleships, characterized by their ability to absorb and deliver heavy firepower, is incompatible with the demands of modern naval conflict. The aircraft and missile advancements have shifted the focus towards maneuverability, stealth, and advanced threat detection systems over sheer brute strength.
For instance, the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles like the Atlas SM-65, first deployed in 1959, marked a turning point. These weapons rendered the impressive armament of battleships less practical, and their armor less effective against the sophisticated threats of the modern era. As a result, the Navy has shifted to more agile, less conspicuous, and technology-driven vessels.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/battleships-lasting-voyage-the-reasons-behind-their-departure-from-modern-naval-warfare/ar-AA1o7oh1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=aecc26b7dfc846a7ad1e45df2729e892&ei=35