World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Bring Back The Iowa Class Discussion And Debate

Anon · 06-12-2005, 15:33 PM

As far as i know Rick, it's never been actually attempted, but just going by the amount of physical flight deck space of an Iowa is what i'm basing my judgement on.

I am sure it would not be good for the deck, as you stated, but it's better than letting a shot-up or low on fuel Harrier crash into the drink.

If it was to be a regular occurance i'm sure they'd want to strengthen the flight deck, and add high temperature coatings to it.

There was a USN plan to convert the Iowas into Harrier carriers, deleting the aft gun and replacing it with a 12 plane harrier and flight deck.

Here are the details:

"BB-61 Iowa-class Aviation Conversion

In late 1961 it was proposed to convert these ships by removing the aft 16-inch turret and adding a hanger for 30 helicopters (20 in the hanger and 10 on deck), 14 LCM-6 landing craft and accommodations for 1,800 marines. A study was conducted and it was determined to be a feasible conversion but the expense involved ended this proposal.

In 1979 the Navy proposed reactivating the Iowa Class under a two-phase program. Under Phase I the battleships would be brought back into service quickly with a minimum of new modifications. This was doen, and all four ships rejoined the fleet. The initial plan also envisioned a Phase II, under which the aft turrent was to be deleted and a hanger and flight deck added in its place. The hanger would accomodate 12 AV-8B Harrier STOVL jumpjets. The Martin Marietta version for Phase II had a V-shaped flight deck with two ski jumps on the forward edges, on either side of the main superstructure. The flight decks would measure 330 feet by 150 feet. However, by 1984 the plans for these "Battlecarriers" had been dropped."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...p/bb-61-av.htm

There's also a BBG-21 conversion on the net out there, that has the Iowas being converted to semi-JSF carriers, while actually retaining their full 16" armament.

Here's a pic of that one:

06-12-2005, 15:33 PM	#138 (permalink)
Anon New Member Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 0	As far as i know Rick, it's never been actually attempted, but just going by the amount of physical flight deck space of an Iowa is what i'm basing my judgement on. I am sure it would not be good for the deck, as you stated, but it's better than letting a shot-up or low on fuel Harrier crash into the drink. If it was to be a regular occurance i'm sure they'd want to strengthen the flight deck, and add high temperature coatings to it. There was a USN plan to convert the Iowas into Harrier carriers, deleting the aft gun and replacing it with a 12 plane harrier and flight deck. Here are the details: "BB-61 Iowa-class Aviation Conversion In late 1961 it was proposed to convert these ships by removing the aft 16-inch turret and adding a hanger for 30 helicopters (20 in the hanger and 10 on deck), 14 LCM-6 landing craft and accommodations for 1,800 marines. A study was conducted and it was determined to be a feasible conversion but the expense involved ended this proposal. In 1979 the Navy proposed reactivating the Iowa Class under a two-phase program. Under Phase I the battleships would be brought back into service quickly with a minimum of new modifications. This was doen, and all four ships rejoined the fleet. The initial plan also envisioned a Phase II, under which the aft turrent was to be deleted and a hanger and flight deck added in its place. The hanger would accomodate 12 AV-8B Harrier STOVL jumpjets. The Martin Marietta version for Phase II had a V-shaped flight deck with two ski jumps on the forward edges, on either side of the main superstructure. The flight decks would measure 330 feet by 150 feet. However, by 1984 the plans for these "Battlecarriers" had been dropped." http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...p/bb-61-av.htm There's also a BBG-21 conversion on the net out there, that has the Iowas being converted to semi-JSF carriers, while actually retaining their full 16" armament. Here's a pic of that one: Last edited by Anon : 06-12-2005 at 15:41 PM.