I Agree. Either reintroducing the Battleship, or constructing a new class is definitely in our best interest. For further justification:
Modern ships are not armored, look at the damage the USS Tripoli, Stark, and Cole received from minor attacks.
By nature of being designed to physically enter ranged combat, against a vessel of similiar type, the Battleship is very nearly impervious to most weaponry. (Yes I know a nuke could destroy it, but Nukes will eliminate everything save cockroaches, so let's not get off onto a tangent)
The only problem with BB's, seems to be their unquenchable thirst. Why not convert to Nuclear power? The cost is much lower than the DDX and CGX, especially with the lower capability quotient of those vessels.
Building a new class would be difficult, as the tooling and machinery to roll heavy armor plate no longer exists, I do believe the max is around 4 inch capability now. This could be overcome by simply sandwiching the plating, so it is not a major concern. Furthermore, cost is a major issue. What threat justifies a new class?
PRC's navy is rather pathetic, as is NK. The Former Soviet Union can't afford to keep the lights turned on on the ships they do have. So, what justifies?
Polital influence! A battleship is a great big extention of political power, in addition to being a sizable chunk of military hardware. Lebanon and Libya both cowered in the face of these girls, and several other nations with ports and coastlines are in desperate need of "re-calibration", I.E. Saudi Arabia, NK, Indonesia, etc. (For 2 cents I would add France to the list!)
With Modern upgrades and pehaps a redisigned bow (better hydrodynamics) the existing battleships could soldier on for QUITE awhile. Would be much better than a new class of technogarbage than can be nearly sunk by two losers in a zodiac.
Aircraft threats against a BB are not as high as some tend to think, with modern radar, ANY ship can detect incoming aircraft at close to 100nm, (Some further, with airborne early warning, etc) also, the CWIS (formerly known as Phalanx) is terribly effective against incoming aircraft, just mount the correct number, and keep them fed! Also the RAM missile, Stinger, etc. can further add to the defence of the asset. If anything does get through, well um, there is the problem of armor, saying of course the pilot was good enough to hit the target (lots of them miss when shot at, even on BIG targets.)
The 16 inch guns could be retained, or newer type fitted. With Nuclear power, Gauss (electromagnetic cannon) could be utilized (eventually after they perfect it!) Until then Standard cannon with RAP capability would work quite well.
Hope I helped, Have more but I shall refrain for now, to see where this goes.
