Shipbucket

Starting in 1972, work began on Alternative 4, an Iowa with all of its guns removed, and in its place 412 Mk 41 VLS cells and 4 SPY-1 radars. Ultimately the proposal was scrapped because conversion costs would be similar to building a new Nimitz-class carrier. I can find very little about the project, and to make matters worse, my main source of information is very hard to follow, so I'll try my best to lay it out below.

Starting in 1972 the Navy began looking at refitting the Iowa's with modern systems. One of the proposals Alternative 4 "Fireworks", would involve removing the entire gun battery and adding 424 Mk 41 VLS cells. This was possible by extending the aft superstructure and placing 3 x 61 and 1 x 29 cell modules on either side. In between the modules, there would be a helicopter hanger. I'm really not sure why the entire gun armament was removed on this version, but my thought is that development was continued after the AEGIS version was drawn up, and it was better to remove it entirely. I can confirm this version is accurate to the original proposal.



In 1974, the original proposal evolved into Alternative 4A "AEGIS Fireworks", of which numerous versions were proposed. Ultimately it was decided to remove all but eight (8) 5" guns, because the muzzle blasts would destroy the delicate electronics. The superstructure would also need a large redesign, of which I can not find any drawings or notes, so I had to use my imagination. I personally think the forward superstructure would be rebuilt to resemble something of an early strike cruiser.



So in other words, this is an early arsenal ship proposal and the ultimate carrier escort that can take your carrier group into the Barents Sea and back. Ultimately the proposals were dropped because conversion costs would near that of building a new Nimitz carrier. This is certainly a very, very odd Iowa conversion, but it's personally one of my favorites. I'd also like to say thank you to Acelanceloet for his help and assistance. Tomorrow, I have a proposal from the '50s that is even crazier, so stay tuned!

*Special Notes; All of my information comes from this book: https://www.amazon.com/Battleships-Unit ... 1557501742
Below I have also attached some images from the book.

Nice work, an unusual conversion but well drawn.

I'd love to see the 1975 New Jersey AEGIS upgrade, that sounds interesting too.

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Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft

I like the AEGIS drawing best out of the two, but it almost seems like sacrilege not to have those huge 16-inch gun turrets on her! Great work on the drawings, though!

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MS State Guard - 08 March 2014 - 28 January 2023

The Official IJN Ships & Planes List

#FJB

I found a couple of errors in the original drawings, so I spent all morning updating them. New additions include more fire-control for the 5" guns, Mk 29 Sea Sparrow launchers, and Sea Sparrow fire control. I'm going to post the most up to date versions here, hence the amount of edits. Enjoy!

What truly bizarre proposals. The drawings look quite good and sensible, though.

Nice drawing but I think the designers forgot what happened to the Hood.
To me, all those explosives, unarmored always spoke of one hit one kill.
Not what a Battleship was built for.
I've been working on a design that would remove the aft turret and place the VLS tubes inside the barbett. An armored sliding cover (similar to a Minuteman missile silo cover) would roll out of the way for launching, maintenance and reloads. If my measurements are correct you should be able to get 96 Mk41 tubes in there.
Hopefully I can get back to working on it soon.

Glad you guys like it! I personally like the AEGIS version a lot more. 78Snipe84, I'm very curious to see what you come up with, it caught my attention,

NavyGuy658
This is what I'm working on for a silo conversion.
It uses 6-50hp motors (controlled by VFD drives) with 24" overhead crane type wheels (railroad) and 6 idler wheels. These wheels would run on 4 rails to clear the barbett.
A power track would supply power to mobile armored cover which at this time I'm thinking of using 9" armor. Total moving weight would be about 600 tons.
With this layout I've managed to get 116 Strike modules inside the barbett which is 37.25 ft inside diameter.



What do you think?

300hp, enough to push 600 tons ?
Interesting idea, but less easy than you imagine
You can not completely VLS-fill the barbette, you have to leave space for some VLS electronics, maintenance, crew-movements...?
around 60-80 VLS more realistic ?

Why not just cut down the top of the barbett down to say 3 deck and replace with a new well protected box on top to hold normal VLS?

If you remove the turret and top of barbett you should have the weight for large box from say 3 deck to the outside?
A rectangular box is far easier to make and fit VLS into?
You can use the standard sized VLS blocks, so it will be far cheaper?
You can design blow outs etc?

Using Colombamike image