2025 U.S. - Venezuela conflict

[Retired AF Guy]

Article states it will have a "[d}isplacement in the region of 15,000 to 20,000 tons." So, smaller than the Soviet Kirov class that weighed in at 24,300 tons (28,000 tons full load).

Edit: Fix typo.

 

[brihard]

Article states it will have a "[d}isplacement in the region of 15,000 to 20,000." So, smaller than the Soviet Kirov class that weighed in at 24,300 tons (28,000 tons full load).

Roughly half again to double the displacement of a Ticonderoga. Those are big targets to be putting in the water…

 

[Brad Sallows]

"Battleship" is kind of obsolete unless navies expect for form and fight in lines of battle. Undoubtedly it will end up being classed as something else, but "battleship" seems to just mean "biggest warships without carrier decks" these days.

 

[brihard]

"Battleship" is kind of obsolete unless navies expect for form and fight in lines of battle. Undoubtedly it will end up being classed as something else, but "battleship" seems to just mean "biggest warships without carrier decks" these days.

Yeah but if you call it something big and impressive, especially if nobody’s donating a while, you’re probably more likely to get a Trump’s support if he can claim credit for it.

 

[OldSolduer]

Battleship is this

 

[YZT580]

Battleship is this

can they even manufacture the gun barrels anymore? I had heard that the equipment and knowledge were gone

 

[Brad Sallows]

can they even manufacture the gun barrels anymore? I had heard that the equipment and knowledge were gone

The Germans are notoriously methodical. They probably have the specs from the Kaiser's navy.

 

[OldSolduer]

can they even manufacture the gun barrels anymore? I had heard that the equipment and knowledge were gone

That is a good question my young Jedi friend. I do suppose the schematics and blueprints are stored somewhere BUT industry might be behind the eight ball if they ever wanted to build one.

 

[brihard]

Battleship announcement had been made. 30-40k tons each (Iowas in their original configuration were about 48k). I didn’t catch the announcement, if I see a good write up of details I’ll post it.

EDIT: Already under discussion on the Trump Administration thread. Anything further, I’lll reply there.

 

[brihard]

Associated Press is citing an unnamed European intelligence official and reporting that Russia is evacuating the families of its diplomats from Venezuela.

Trump holds an event with Rubio and Hegseth during vacation as tensions with Venezuela mount

President Donald Trump is gathering with top national security officials. Monday's meeting comes as the U.S.

apnews.com

 

[Retired AF Guy]

More news from AP:

Trump announces plans for new Navy 'battleship'

President Donald Trump has announced a bold plan for the Navy to build a new, large warship that he is calling a “battleship” as part of a larger vision to create a “Golden Fleet.”

apnews.com

The ship, according to Trump, will be longer and larger than the World War II-era Iowa-class battleships and will be armed with hypersonic missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers — all technologies that are still being developed by the Navy.

And this class of ships is going to be called ...drum roll, please!... the Trump Class!

 

[Retired AF Guy]

And since we are talking about new ships for the USN; The War Zone has confirmed that the new USN FF(X) program, that will replace the cancelled Constellation Class, won't have a dedicated VLS.

Now I'm just a landlubber from the Prairies, but even I think that would be crazy!!

Navy’s New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles

FF(X) will initially have the same armament installed as the Littoral Combat Ships, relying on uncrewed platforms and modular payloads for expanded capability.

www.twz.com

 

[Kirkhill]

And since we are talking about new ships for the USN; The War Zone has confirmed that the new USN FF(X) program, that will replace the cancelled Constellation Class, won't have a dedicated VLS.

Now I'm just a landlubber from the Prairies, but even I think that would be crazy!!

Navy’s New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles

FF(X) will initially have the same armament installed as the Littoral Combat Ships, relying on uncrewed platforms and modular payloads for expanded capability.

www.twz.com

As noted the armament is the same as the original Littoral Class Ship. That means that they are effectively relaunching the monohull Freedom Class.

The trimaran Independence class continues in service.

The traditionalists eventually got the ship they wanted.

How long before they bolt on JSMs and add a couple of Mk70 PDS?

 

[Lumber]

As noted the armament is the same as the original Littoral Class Ship. That means that they are effectively relaunching the monohull Freedom Class.

The trimaran Independence class continues in service.

The traditionalists eventually got the ship they wanted.

How long before they bolt on JSMs and add a couple of Mk70 PDS?

The picture I saw already had two quad-pack NSM launchers bolted onto the quarter deck.

 

[brihard]

The picture I saw already had two quad-pack NSM launchers bolted onto the quarter deck.

Bear in mind right now it’s no more than a Bombardier-esque drawing.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Yeah but if you call it something big and impressive, especially if nobody’s donating a while, you’re probably more likely to get a Trump’s support if he can claim credit for it.

Battleship is this

You need to be in around 30,000 DWT

Had the US kept their BB's active and continuously upgrading them, then they be highly useful today. Particularly in dealing with the Houthi's. However just repairing the piping alone would take years and besides the fact, people don't know how to run the steam plants, no one makes the barrels, they disposed of the 15,000 rds in inventory.

At this point, if you wanted a real BB, look at all the previous armour designs, likely going with a mix of late US and the Vanguard armour design. New power plants, likley either 2 triple or double turrets forward. The 15" seems to be the sweet spot for BB armament, but the US 16" is still good. Modern powder and shells capable of taking guidance kits. Make sure you have ample surplus power generation for future weapons and sensors. Give the BB good secondary's, sensors and counter measures. Some VLS both for land attack and AD.

When you look at the absolute beating most BB's took in battles outside of harbours, and still came home, the only real threat is a sub and a modern design could mitigate part of the under keel hit.

 

[Halifax Tar]

You need to be in around 30,000 DWT

Had the US kept their BB's active and continuously upgrading them, then they be highly useful today. Particularly in dealing with the Houthi's. However just repairing the piping alone would take years and besides the fact, people don't know how to run the steam plants, no one makes the barrels, they disposed of the 15,000 rds in inventory.

At this point, if you wanted a real BB, look at all the previous armour designs, likely going with a mix of late US and the Vanguard armour design. New power plants, likley either 2 triple or double turrets forward. The 15" seems to be the sweet spot for BB armament, but the US 16" is still good. Modern powder and shells capable of taking guidance kits. Make sure you have ample surplus power generation for future weapons and sensors. Give the BB good secondary's, sensors and counter measures. Some VLS both for land attack and AD.

When you look at the absolute beating most BB's took in battles outside of harbours, and still came home, the only real threat is a sub and a modern design could mitigate part of the under keel hit.

There's a good YT channel out there on the New Jersey. They seem to get the reactivation question a lot.

 

[Lumber]

When you look at the absolute beating most BB's took in battles outside of harbours, and still came home, the only real threat is a sub and a modern design could mitigate part of the under keel hit.

I'm genuinely curious if it's even possible with modern materials and engineering techniques to make ANYTHING that can shrug off a hit from a Mk-48 and remain mission capable.

 

[Halifax Tar]

I'm genuinely curious if it's even possible with modern materials and engineering techniques to make ANYTHING that can shrug off a hit from a Mk-48 and remain mission capable.

Outside of the hull/structural damage the damage to systems of all types would be pretty severe I feel...

But BBs and CVs are much larger than a DD or an FF so maybe they should be able to absorb some of that shock ?

 

[Eaglelord17]

Outside of the hull/structural damage the damage to systems of all types would be pretty severe I feel...

But BBs and CVs are much larger than a DD or an FF so maybe they should be able to absorb some of that shock ?

Sinking of ARA General Belgrano - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Last Capital ship I know of being sunk. Didn’t go good for them then and that was with technology that is 40+ years old at this point.

Condensing strength in a few capital ships is a mistake. WWII that was the big debate, aircraft carriers or BBs. Aircraft carriers won out big time, just ask Japan.

Today large ships are more vulnerable than ever. You’re putting all your eggs in one easy to sink basket. I would guess the way to go is unmanned drone craft controlled by a larger manned ship but that is just speculation on my part.

Building a BB today is a ego play not a practical one.