Intro
Discover the Montana Class Battleships, a fleet of six planned warships that never set sail. Learn about the design, development, and cancellation of these behemoths, and how they would have rivaled the Iowa-class battleships in firepower and size, exploring the what ifs of naval warfare history.
The Montana-class battleships were a planned class of battleships for the United States Navy during World War II. These warships were intended to be the largest and most powerful battleships in the world, with a displacement of over 60,000 tons and a main armament of 12 16-inch guns. However, due to a combination of factors, including the changing nature of naval warfare and the need to focus on more pressing priorities, the Montana-class battleships were never built.
The concept of the Montana-class battleships dates back to the 1930s, when the United States Navy began to consider the design of a new class of battleships that would be capable of competing with the latest Japanese and German warships. The Navy's General Board, which was responsible for advising on the design of new warships, proposed a class of battleships that would be larger and more powerful than any existing warship.
The Montana-class battleships were designed to be 916 feet long and 108 feet wide, with a draft of 33 feet. They would have had a displacement of 62,644 tons, making them the largest warships in the world at the time. The ships would have been powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four Westinghouse turbines, which would have produced 212,000 horsepower and given the ships a top speed of 28 knots.
The main armament of the Montana-class battleships would have consisted of 12 16-inch guns, mounted in four triple turrets. These guns would have been capable of firing a 2,700-pound shell to a range of over 40,000 yards. The ships would also have been equipped with 20 5-inch guns, 80 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns.
The Montana-class battleships were also designed to be heavily armored, with a belt of 18-inch armor that would have protected the ships' vital areas from enemy fire. The armor would have been made of a new type of steel that was designed to be more resistant to penetration than existing armor.
Despite their impressive design, the Montana-class battleships were never built. The reason for this was due to a combination of factors, including the changing nature of naval warfare and the need to focus on more pressing priorities.
One of the main reasons why the Montana-class battleships were never built was the rapid development of naval aviation during World War II. As the war progressed, it became clear that aircraft carriers were going to play a major role in naval warfare, and that battleships were no longer the dominant force they had once been. The Navy's priority shifted from building battleships to building aircraft carriers and the escort carriers, destroyers, and submarines needed to support them.
Another reason why the Montana-class battleships were never built was the need to focus on more pressing priorities. The United States was facing a massive mobilization effort during World War II, and the Navy had to prioritize its resources on building the ships that were needed to fight the war. The Montana-class battleships were seen as a luxury that the Navy could not afford, and the resources that would have been needed to build them were redirected to other priorities.
In addition to these factors, there were also concerns about the feasibility of building such large warships. The Montana-class battleships would have required massive amounts of resources, including steel, labor, and dockyard capacity. There were also concerns about the ships' stability and maneuverability, as well as the strain that their massive size would have put on the Navy's logistical capabilities.
The cancellation of the Montana-class battleships was a significant setback for the United States Navy, but it also allowed the Navy to focus on other priorities and to develop new technologies and strategies that would ultimately prove to be more effective.
Today, the Montana-class battleships are remembered as a fascinating footnote in the history of naval warfare. While they were never built, their design and concept reflect the ambitions and aspirations of the United States Navy during World War II.
Design and Development
The design and development of the Montana-class battleships began in the early 1940s, when the United States Navy started to consider the need for a new class of battleships. The Navy's General Board, which was responsible for advising on the design of new warships, proposed a class of battleships that would be larger and more powerful than any existing warship.
The design of the Montana-class battleships was influenced by the latest developments in naval warfare, including the use of radar and the development of new anti-aircraft systems. The ships were designed to be heavily armored, with a belt of 18-inch armor that would have protected the ships' vital areas from enemy fire.
The Montana-class battleships were also designed to be highly maneuverable, with a top speed of 28 knots and a range of over 15,000 nautical miles. The ships would have been powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four Westinghouse turbines, which would have produced 212,000 horsepower.
The main armament of the Montana-class battleships would have consisted of 12 16-inch guns, mounted in four triple turrets. These guns would have been capable of firing a 2,700-pound shell to a range of over 40,000 yards.
Armor and Protection
The Montana-class battleships were designed to be heavily armored, with a belt of 18-inch armor that would have protected the ships' vital areas from enemy fire. The armor would have been made of a new type of steel that was designed to be more resistant to penetration than existing armor.
The ships' armor would have been arranged in a complex system of belts and decks, with the thickest armor protecting the ships' vital areas. The armor would have been designed to protect the ships from the latest types of armor-piercing shells and torpedoes.
In addition to their armor, the Montana-class battleships would have been equipped with a range of anti-aircraft systems, including 20 5-inch guns and 80 40mm anti-aircraft guns. These systems would have been designed to protect the ships from enemy aircraft and missiles.
Cancellation and Legacy
The Montana-class battleships were cancelled in 1943, due to a combination of factors, including the changing nature of naval warfare and the need to focus on more pressing priorities. The cancellation of the Montana-class battleships was a significant setback for the United States Navy, but it also allowed the Navy to focus on other priorities and to develop new technologies and strategies that would ultimately prove to be more effective.
Today, the Montana-class battleships are remembered as a fascinating footnote in the history of naval warfare. While they were never built, their design and concept reflect the ambitions and aspirations of the United States Navy during World War II.
The Montana-class battleships also played an important role in the development of the United States Navy's post-war fleet. The designs and concepts developed for the Montana-class battleships were incorporated into the Navy's later battleship designs, including the Iowa-class battleships.
Comparison with Other Battleships
The Montana-class battleships were designed to be the largest and most powerful battleships in the world, but how did they compare to other battleships of the time?
The Montana-class battleships were larger and more heavily armed than the Iowa-class battleships, which were the largest battleships built by the United States during World War II. The Montana-class battleships were also more heavily armored than the Iowa-class battleships, with a belt of 18-inch armor compared to the Iowa-class's 12-inch armor.
The Montana-class battleships were also compared to the Japanese Yamato-class battleships, which were the largest battleships built by Japan during World War II. The Montana-class battleships were slightly larger than the Yamato-class battleships, but they were also more heavily armed and armored.
Montana-Class Battleships Image Gallery
What were the Montana-class battleships?
+The Montana-class battleships were a planned class of battleships for the United States Navy during World War II. They were designed to be the largest and most powerful battleships in the world, but were never built.
Why were the Montana-class battleships never built?
+The Montana-class battleships were never built due to a combination of factors, including the changing nature of naval warfare and the need to focus on more pressing priorities.
What was the design of the Montana-class battleships?
+The Montana-class battleships were designed to be 916 feet long and 108 feet wide, with a draft of 33 feet. They would have had a displacement of 62,644 tons and would have been powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four Westinghouse turbines.