Chapter 2640： U.S. Navy Adjustment II (1/2)

However, putting this battlecruiser into service would be irresponsible for the safety of naval officers and soldiers. As well as crimes against the country, as a navy member who has experienced brutal battles on the front line, we have a very clear understanding of the damage capability of the Japanese fleet’s naval guns. Even if our first ultra-dreadnought battleship has 12-inch armor protection, It was simply unable to withstand the attack of the 15-inch naval gun. The Japanese Fuso-class battleships may only need a proper salvo to deal with battleships of this class of defense. Even the New Mexico-class 13.5-inch vertical armor belt is not enough. ”Colonel Leahy said.

”We can try to improve defense.” Little Roosevelt said.

”If it is still a vertical armor belt, then we must ensure that the thickness of the armor belt is more than 14 inches, and the sum means that the thickness of the armor belt is doubled. As you know, the length of the armor belt of the Lexington-class battleship is very large. For side-string armor, we have to add at least about 320 tons of weight. (Historically, the Gangu super class seems to increase by 225 tons per inch of additional armor.) And this is not the support result and the other weight increase caused by it.”

”If you still insist on improving, then the weight of the armor has been conservatively increased by more than 2,000 tons, and this is only to ensure the side chord, without mentioning the level of armor defense. In this way, our warship is likely to face serious Overweight and airworthiness issues.” Colonel Leahy said.

”So what do you think of the Navy?” Old Roosevelt asked.

”Our opinion is to improve the South Dakota-class battleship. We can continue to use most of the hull, then remove the No. 3 turret and change it into a power cabin, equipped with more boilers and larger engines, and at the same time extend the bow to make the hull more suitable for high speeds. . In this case, we can make this battleship run at a speed of more than 26 knots. We pay a small price, and we can get a fast battleship that can be used. If we can arrange the armor belt to be inclined, then even more Okay.” Colonel Lacey's plan is almost a copy of what Ma Jifen suggested.

”However, it takes time to change the design, but what we lack most is time.” Little Roosevelt said.

”From a military point of view, the safest way is to purchase new warships while maintaining cooperation with the German Navy. If the German side still maintains the deployment of 4 Bavarian-class battleships in the Pacific theater, then we will purchase at most. Four fast battleships can form an absolute advantage over the Japanese fleet. The four Bavarian and four Helgoland-class battleships can completely rival the current Japanese fleet.” Colonel Lacey said.

”However, the Germans are still leading the fast fleet.” Little Roosevelt said thoughtfully.

”From a diplomatic perspective, we can't leave the Germans now.” Secretary of State Lansing said.

”So who is the command of this fast fleet? What we want to build is a fleet that can perform tasks independently, not supplemented by Germans. According to the reality of the navy's battle reports, the German fleet appeared in the final stage of the battle. Is the non-cooperation behavior like this? The German fleet did not participate in the final battle.” Little Roosevelt said.

”I didn't participate in the final battle, but the point that needs to be explained is that the German fleet at this time has run out of all ammunition. This can be confirmed by our liaison officer in the German fleet, Nimitz. And the battleship was seriously injured.” Colonel Leahy frowned. He was very dissatisfied with this political slander.