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Dreadnought · 01-02-2008, 14:07 PM

An Iowa is not perfect and is suseptable to attack from many different missle systems but she has the armor (deck,belt,conning,turret) to withstand alot of damage. The question is can a Kirov with virtually little armor repel the very same missle attack and survive without the ship exploding or poisoning the crew if the nuclear power plant is struck. 76MM thick armor around the plant dont seem very reassuring.

Some points to consider..... (no favorites mind you)

An Iowa has four shafts. The Kirov class has two. Any hit close can disable the Kirov or an Iowa. But, one shaft is not enough to run away with if it needs to happen. Two or more would be most effective.

The Kirov has steam powered backup propulsion. The Iowa dont. She has eight massive Babcox boilers (Iowa may have a different manuf. mind you.) They must secure the reactor before the steam plant engauges. An Iowa was reported to cruise at 28kt on four boilers alone and that if half of her systems are taken out.

If Kirov is forced to secure the power plant and run on steam she is easily outranged by the Iowas steam plant range statistics (fuel mileage) this is quitisential especially in heavy seas.

At 26000 tons displaced against 57,000 tons displaced the Iowas easily out manuver the Kirovs in heavy seas.

Ramming is in serious doubt. The Kirov comes to even within range and the 5"/38 mounts open up with 11-22 rounds per minute x 3 double mounts. With a 10 mile range they will surely sink Kirov long before she can ram the Iowa. Also a better question is could the Kirovs bow hold up to the Iowas side plating/belt. (very doubtfull)

Protection. Most often points of target are batteries,bridge and powerplant. On the Iowas they are afforded maximum protection of up to 17.3" thick STS on the bridge & turret face. Pending which particular Iowa is sent will depend the interior bulkhead protection. and the belt 12.1 inch Grade A & Grade B armor. The Kirov lacks in this area.

In closing, The Iowas were designed to meet and defeat one of their own kind (57000-61000 tons displaced battleship.) The Kirovs were designed to repel any USN CV attack and support their submarines. Different tools for different jobs gentlemen.

Just my thoughts.

01-02-2008, 14:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
Dreadnought *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 05-12-05 Posts: 5,827 Country:	An Iowa is not perfect and is suseptable to attack from many different missle systems but she has the armor (deck,belt,conning,turret) to withstand alot of damage. The question is can a Kirov with virtually little armor repel the very same missle attack and survive without the ship exploding or poisoning the crew if the nuclear power plant is struck. 76MM thick armor around the plant dont seem very reassuring. Some points to consider..... (no favorites mind you) An Iowa has four shafts. The Kirov class has two. Any hit close can disable the Kirov or an Iowa. But, one shaft is not enough to run away with if it needs to happen. Two or more would be most effective. The Kirov has steam powered backup propulsion. The Iowa dont. She has eight massive Babcox boilers (Iowa may have a different manuf. mind you.) They must secure the reactor before the steam plant engauges. An Iowa was reported to cruise at 28kt on four boilers alone and that if half of her systems are taken out. If Kirov is forced to secure the power plant and run on steam she is easily outranged by the Iowas steam plant range statistics (fuel mileage) this is quitisential especially in heavy seas. At 26000 tons displaced against 57,000 tons displaced the Iowas easily out manuver the Kirovs in heavy seas. Ramming is in serious doubt. The Kirov comes to even within range and the 5"/38 mounts open up with 11-22 rounds per minute x 3 double mounts. With a 10 mile range they will surely sink Kirov long before she can ram the Iowa. Also a better question is could the Kirovs bow hold up to the Iowas side plating/belt. (very doubtfull) Protection. Most often points of target are batteries,bridge and powerplant. On the Iowas they are afforded maximum protection of up to 17.3" thick STS on the bridge & turret face. Pending which particular Iowa is sent will depend the interior bulkhead protection. and the belt 12.1 inch Grade A & Grade B armor. The Kirov lacks in this area. In closing, The Iowas were designed to meet and defeat one of their own kind (57000-61000 tons displaced battleship.) The Kirovs were designed to repel any USN CV attack and support their submarines. Different tools for different jobs gentlemen. Just my thoughts. __________________ Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure. Last edited by Dreadnought : 01-02-2008 at 14:27 PM.