Iris class heavy cruiser
The final pre-WW heavy cruiser class built by the Antaran Navy, designed to be the most powerful cruiser of its time, at the cost of violating the ENT by over 3500 tonnes. However due to the political state of Aemore in 1340, no nation paid any attention to the violation. The basis for the design was to improve the firepower of the previous Alexandria with as little compromise whatsoever, thus Iris had a 4xIII 203mm/55 gun layout, with two additional twin 127mm/45s on the forward deck. She did however have a thinner 127mm belt, but was faster during trials - going 34.1 knots on average. Iris's broadside firepower had such a kick that it was advised for captains to fire half-salvos to reduce the recoil.
All members of the Iris class were stationed in the Antaran East Coast at the outbreak of war and remained with the Freyatic Fleet until early 1345, when all units moved to the Scyllic. The class typically fought in the same fleet, all were present for the Battle of Zhentou and the Battle of Tuscadia, all survived for a while after the WW and were modernized for post-war use. ARS Monroe City managed to sink Raicho in 1345, during the Matu Island campaign, as well as Kyushi along with ARS Iris who sank Kakano - both during Zhentou.
After the war, Port Reid and Iris were selected for missile conversions in the late 50s, while Monroe City and Scarlette Bay were chosen to be converted to command cruisers.
Specifications
Tonnage - 13 500 tonnes standard
Speed - 34.1 knots
Range - 8000nm at 14 knots
Main battery - 4xIII 203mm/55
Secondary battery - 5xII 127mm/45
Armor - 127mm belt, 76mm decks, 50mm secondary turrets, 178mm MB turret face, 76mm MB turret sides, 203mm barbettes, 127mm conning tower
Ships in class
Iris - Scrapped, 1382
Port Reid - Scrapped, 1382
Monroe City - Sunk in missile tests, 1371
Scarlette Bay - Scrapped, 1384