The Revival of Naval Artillery: From Battleships to Arsenal Ships

TLDRThe US Navy is reconsidering the use of battleships and developing arsenal ships to address the limitations of missiles and aircraft. The cost-effectiveness, volume of fire, and resilience to hacking make naval artillery an attractive option. Unmanned arsenal ships could provide firepower in contested environments and serve as missile trucks. Naval artillery is not dead; it is evolving to meet the challenges of modern warfare.

Key insights

🚢Naval artillery, once the dominant force at sea, became obsolete with the rise of aircraft carriers and anti-ship missiles.

🎯Missiles and aircraft offer precision strike capabilities, but they have limitations and are costly.

🔥Naval artillery, such as battleships and their big guns, pack a massive explosive power that cannot be easily matched.

💰Naval artillery is cost-effective and offers a high volume of fire, making it an attractive option in a conflict with limited resources.

🤖Unmanned arsenal ships could provide firepower and serve as missile trucks, offering a flexible and resilient option in a contested environment.

Q&A

Why did battleships become obsolete?

Battleships became obsolete due to the rise of aircraft carriers and the development of anti-ship missiles. The limitations of ballistic artillery and the vulnerability to torpedoes and naval mines contributed to their obsolescence.

Why is naval artillery being reconsidered?

Naval artillery is being reconsidered due to its cost-effectiveness, high volume of fire, and resilience to hacking. In a highly contested environment, where missiles and aircraft have limitations, naval artillery can provide a viable alternative.

What are arsenal ships?

Arsenal ships are heavily armed naval vessels that carry a large number of missiles or other munitions. They are designed to provide firepower support and can be operated remotely or autonomously.

What are the advantages of unmanned arsenal ships?

Unmanned arsenal ships offer cost savings, as they require no crew. They can also be built to be fully or partially submersible, increasing their defense capabilities. Furthermore, they can serve as missile trucks, providing versatile firepower.

What is the future of naval artillery?

The future of naval artillery is uncertain, but it is clear that it is not dead. As warfare technology evolves, naval artillery will continue to adapt and find new forms to meet the challenges of modern warfare.

Timestamped Summary

00:57Battleships became obsolete with the rise of aircraft carriers and anti-ship missiles.

02:01The limitations and cost of missiles and aircraft make naval artillery an attractive option.

06:08Naval artillery, like the big guns on battleships, offers massive explosive power.

08:55Naval artillery is cost-effective and provides a high volume of fire.

13:09Unmanned arsenal ships could serve as missile trucks and provide versatile firepower.