TL;DR
The administration has promoted a new large surface warship as a “battleship,” but the design and armament described don’t fit that classification. Critics say the proposal mixes many cutting-edge systems without clear rationale, potentially duplicating capabilities that existing designs or programs could provide more efficiently.
What happened
The White House announced a new class of large surface combatants described publicly as "battleships." Naval analysts argue the vessels lack the defining features of historical battleships—heavy, primary gun batteries and armor—and resemble a very large, missile-centric cruiser instead. Published outlines show a long hull powered by integrated electric propulsion, a large vertical launch system (128 cells), space for a new ship-launched nuclear cruise missile, cells for Conventional Prompt Strike (hypersonic) weapons, and a mix of secondary systems including a railgun, multiple 5-inch guns, point-defense cannons, lasers such as ODIN, and unspecified counter-Unmanned systems. Observers note the design mirrors the footprint of older large ships like the Iowa and Alaska classes but questions persist about cost-effectiveness compared with Burkes or the planned DDG(X) concept. Separate procurement moves would convert a National Security Cutter derivative into a minimum-change frigate (FFG-62), raising concerns over radar, sonar and true air-defense capability.
Why it matters
- The ship’s role and cost-effectiveness are unclear compared with existing destroyer/cruiser programs, risking inefficient use of defense funds.
- Embedding a new ship-launched nuclear cruise missile raises force-structure and security considerations, especially if the weapon could fit into current VLS cells instead.
- A grab-bag approach to advanced systems (hypersonics, railgun, lasers) could delay fielding or duplicate capabilities better delivered by other platforms.
- Changes to the Constellation replacement toward a cutter-derived frigate may reduce fleet air-defense capacity, affecting distributed naval operations.
Key facts
- Administration described a new class of large surface combatants as "battleships," but analysts dispute that label.
- Published dimensions align roughly with historic large hulls such as the Iowa and Alaska classes, though displacement comparisons vary.
- Propulsion is described as integrated electric propulsion (IEP), not nuclear.
- Armament listed includes 128 VLS cells, cells for Conventional Prompt Strike (hypersonic) weapons, and a proposed ship-launched nuclear cruise missile.
- Secondary weapons mix cited: a railgun, two 5" guns both forward, multiple 30 mm guns, RAM, lasers including ODIN, and unnamed counter-UxS systems.
- 128 VLS cells match the count carried by a Ticonderoga-class cruiser on a roughly 10,000-ton hull, prompting efficiency questions.
- Zumwalt-class example cited: recently installed tubes that each house multiple missiles illustrate variable loadout possibilities for similar systems.
- Replacement for the Constellation-class is being shifted toward a minimum-change National Security Cutter derivative (FFG-62/FF(X)), with mission-module slots but reportedly weaker radar and no organic sonar.
What to watch next
- Whether the proposed ship-launched nuclear cruise missile can be accommodated within existing VLS cells or truly requires a new hull: not confirmed in the source.
- How many Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles the design will actually carry and how those cells are configured: not confirmed in the source.
- Decisions about whether to proceed with the large new design versus investing in DDG(X) or additional Arleigh Burke hulls.
- The post-2028 political outlook for the program and whether funding or design priorities change with a different administration.
Quick glossary
- Vertical Launch System (VLS): A shipboard missile storage and launch system with cells that can house and fire a variety of missile types vertically from below decks.
- Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP): A propulsion arrangement where ship service power and propulsion are supplied by the same integrated electric generators and motors.
- Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS): A family of high-speed, precision conventional strike weapons, often hypersonic, intended to hit time-sensitive targets rapidly.
- Railgun: An electromagnetic projectile launcher that uses strong electric currents to accelerate a conductive projectile along rails, offering high velocity without chemical propellant.
- ODIN: A shipboard laser-based system designed primarily for dazzlement or non-kinetic countermeasures, distinct from high-energy defensive lasers.
Reader FAQ
Is the announced ship really a battleship?
Naval analysts cited in the source argue it is not, lacking primary heavy naval guns and armored characteristics associated with historic battleships.
Will it carry nuclear cruise missiles?
The plan references a new ship-launched nuclear cruise missile, but details on deployment, carriage and integration are sketchy and not fully confirmed in the source.
Could existing destroyers or planned DDG(X) handle these missions instead?
Critics in the source suggest many proposed capabilities could be delivered more efficiently by upgraded Burke-class ships or the DDG(X) design, but definitive capability tradeoffs are not fully resolved in the source.
What is the concern with naming the class?
The source notes discomfort with naming a class after a living sitting leader and explains US practice typically uses the first-ship name for class names.
View Edit History Print December 28, 2025 No, it’s not This week has seen the announcement by the Trump Administration that they are going to be building “battleships”, a subject…
Sources
- No, it's not a battleship
- The Golden Fleet's Battleship Will Never Sail
- Trump's new battleship plan could transform the US Navy – …
- Trump Announces New Class of Battleships Despite …
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