The largest warship in the world. The world's largest warship. Russian warships. The latest warships. Iowa-class battleships
The Russian Navy has 203 surface ships and 71 submarines, including 23 nuclear submarines equipped with ballistic and cruise missiles. The defense capability of Russia at sea is provided by modern and powerful ships.
"Peter the Great"
The heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great is the world's largest non-aircraft-carrying strike ship. Capable of destroying groups of enemy aircraft carriers. The only afloat cruiser of the famous Soviet project 1144 "Orlan". Built at the Baltic Shipyard and launched in 1989. Commissioned after 9 years.
For 16 years, the cruiser has traveled 140,000 miles. The flagship of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy, port of registry - Severomorsk.
With a width of 28.5 meters, it has a length of 251 meters. Full displacement 25860 tons.
Two nuclear reactors with a capacity of 300 megawatts, two boilers, turbines and gas turbine generators are capable of providing energy to a city with a population of 200,000. Can reach speeds up to 32 knots, cruising range is not limited. The crew of 727 people can be in autonomous navigation for 60 days.
Armament: 20 SM-233 launchers with P-700 Granit cruise missiles, firing range - 700 km. Anti-aircraft complex "Rif" S-300F (96 vertical launch missiles). Anti-aircraft system "Kortik" with a stock of 128 missiles. Gun mount AK-130. Two anti-submarine missile and torpedo systems "Waterfall", anti-torpedo complex "Udav-1M". Rocket bombing installations RBU-12000 and RBU-1000 "Smerch-3". Three Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters can be based on board.
"Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov"
Heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" (project 11435). Built at the Black Sea Shipyard, launched in 1985. He bore the names "Riga", "Leonid Brezhnev", "Tbilisi". Since 1991, he became part of the Northern Fleet. Carried out combat service in the Mediterranean, participated in the rescue operation during the death of the Kursk. Three years later, according to the plan, it will go for modernization.
The length of the cruiser is 302.3 meters, the total displacement is 55,000 tons. Maximum speed - 29 knots. A crew of 1960 can stay at sea for a month and a half.
Armament: 12 Granit anti-ship missiles, 60 Udav-1 missiles, 24 Blade (192 missiles) and Kashtan (256 missiles) air defense systems. It can carry 24 Ka-27 helicopters, 16 Yak-41M supersonic VTOL aircraft and up to 12 Su-27K fighter jets.
"Moscow"
"Moskva", guards missile cruiser. Multipurpose ship. Built at the shipyards of the plant named after 61 Communards in Nikolaev. It was originally called "Glory". Commissioned in 1983. Flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Participated in the military conflict with Georgia, in 2014 carried out the blockade of the Ukrainian Navy.
With a width of 20.8 meters, it has a length of 186.4 meters and a displacement of 11,490 tons. Maximum speed 32 knots. Cruising range up to 6000 nautical miles. The crew of 510 people can be in the "autonomy" for a month.
Armament: 16 P-500 Bazalt mounts, two AK-130 gun mounts, six AK-630 6-barrel gun mounts, B-204 S-300F Rif air defense systems (64 missiles), Osa-MA air defense missile launchers (48 missiles), torpedo tubes, RBU-6000 rocket launchers, Ka-27 helicopter.
A copy of the "Moscow" - the cruiser "Varyag" is the flagship of the Pacific Fleet.
"Dagestan"
Patrol ship "Dagestan" was commissioned in 2012. Built at the Zelenodolsk shipyard. In 2014, it was transferred to the Caspian Flotilla. This is the second ship of project 11661K, the first - "Tatarstan" is the flagship of the Caspian Fleet.
"Dagestan" has more powerful and modern weapons: the universal RK "Caliber-NK", which can use several types of high-precision missiles (firing range is more than 300 km), ZRAK "Palma", AU AK-176M. Equipped with stealth technology.
With a width of 13.1 meters, "Dagestan" has a length of 102.2 meters, a displacement of 1900 tons. Can reach speeds up to 28 knots. The crew of 120 people can be in autonomous navigation for 15 days.
Four more such ships have been laid down at the shipyards.
"Persistent"
The flagship of the Baltic Fleet, the destroyer Nastoychivy, was built at the Zhdanov Leningrad Shipyard and launched in 1991. Designed to destroy ground targets, anti-aircraft and anti-ship defense formations.
With a width of 17.2 meters, it has a length of 156.5 meters and a displacement of 7940 tons. The crew of 296 people can stay at sea without calling at the port for up to 30 days.
The destroyer carries a KA-27 helicopter. It is equipped with twin AK-130/54 gun mounts, AK-630 six-barrel mounts, P-270 Moskit mounts, six-barreled rocket launchers, two Shtil air defense systems and torpedo tubes.
"Yury Dolgoruky"
The nuclear submarine "Yuri Dolgoruky" (the first submarine of project 955 "Borey") was laid down in 1996 in Severodvinsk. Commissioned in 2013. Port of registry - Gadzhiyevo. Part of the Northern Fleet.
The length of the boat is 170 meters, the underwater displacement is 24,000 tons. Maximum surface speed - 15 knots, underwater - 29 knots. Crew 107 people. It can carry out combat duty for three months without entering the port.
"Yuri Dolgoruky" carries 16 Bulava ballistic missiles, is equipped with PHR 9R38 "Igla", 533-millimeter torpedo tubes, six REPS-324 "Barrier" acoustic countermeasure installations. In the coming years, six more submarines of the same class will be built at Russian shipyards.
"Severodvinsk"
Multi-purpose nuclear submarine "Severodvinsk" became the first submarine of the new Russian project 855 "Ash". The most "quiet" submarine in the world. Built in Severodvinsk. In 2014, it became part of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy. Port of registry - Zapadnaya Litsa.
With a width of 13.5 meters, it has a length of 119 meters, an underwater displacement of 13,800 tons,
Surface speed "Severodvinsk" is 16 knots, underwater - 31 knots. Endurance of navigation - 100 days, crew - 90 people.
It has a modern silent nuclear reactor of a new generation. The submarine is equipped with ten torpedo tubes, P-100 Oniks, Kh-35, ZM-54E, ZM-54E1, ZM-14E cruise missiles. Carries X-101 strategic cruise missiles and can hit targets within a radius of up to 3,000 kilometers. Until 2020, Russia plans to build six more Yasen-class submarines.
At different times, these giants terrified the enemy. But the world will remember them not only as a formidable weapon of war. The names of the largest warships of their time are forever inscribed in golden letters in world history.
7. Nuclear cruiser project 1144 "Orlan"
Country Russia
length: 250 m
width: 28.5 m
displacement: 25,860 tons (full)
crew: 1035 people
"Peter the Great" - this is the proud name of the only heavy nuclear missile cruiser of project 1144 "Orlan" to date (four such ships were built in total). Project 1144 is iconic in every sense. Now "Peter the Great" is the largest warship in the world, not counting aircraft carriers. But the cruiser is famous not only for its size. In open combat, it outperforms any non-aircraft carrier. P-700 "Granit" cruise missiles with a range of up to 625 km pose a threat even to aircraft carriers (although, to be honest, the ship itself, due to its size, is a convenient target). Soon, Peter the Great may receive new Zircon hypersonic missiles, thus becoming even more dangerous.
6. Universal landing ships of the type "America"
Country: USA
length: 257.3 m
width: 32.3 m
displacement: 45,700 tons (gross)
crew: 1059 crew members + troops
Universal landing ships, as you might guess, were created for landing operations. But the Americans have thoroughly expanded this definition. The new UDC of the "America" type is, in fact, a mini-aircraft carrier that is capable of carrying a solid aviation group of 22 fifth-generation F-35B fighters. These aircraft will take off from the deck using a short takeoff run and land vertically. But there are other configurations: the UDC can carry many V-22 convertiplanes, which can deliver troops by air much faster than conventional helicopters. The lead ship of the USS America (LHA 6) series was commissioned into the US fleet in 2014, and in total the Americans want to get twelve such ships. In the future, they will replace the UDC of the Wasp type.
5. Wasp-class amphibious assault ships
Country: USA
length: 257.30 m
width: 42.67 m
displacement: 40,532 tons (gross)
crew: 1147 crew members + troops
Until the advent of "America", ships of the "Wasp" type had no competitors in size among the UDC. They were created specifically to ensure transportation by sea and landing on an unequipped coast of an expeditionary battalion of marines, the number of which can reach almost 1900 people. Support for the paratroopers can be provided by AV-8B Harrier II vertical takeoff and landing combat aircraft (their number can reach 20). The Marines also have AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters at their disposal. In the aft part of the Wasp there is a large room where equipment used for landing operations can be located. In total, the US Navy received eight such ships.
4. Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers
Country: Brazil
length: 265.0 m
width: 51.2 m
displacement: 32,780 tons (full)
crew: 1338 people
In fact, aircraft carriers of the Clemenceau type were created not in Brazil, but in France, and back in the 50s. After the advent of the much more modern Charles de Gaulle, they were removed from service, and one of the ships was transferred to the Brazilian Navy, where it continues to serve to this day. In Brazil, the ship was named "São Paulo". Even today, it remains a fairly formidable combat unit that can carry up to 40 aircraft, including fifteen French Super Étendard carrier-based attack aircraft.
3. Aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle"
Country: France
length: 261.5 m
width: 64.36 m
displacement: 42,000 tons (gross)
crew: 1200 people
This is the only nuclear aircraft carrier of the French Navy: the authorities wanted to lay down another one, but this idea was abandoned, given the huge cost of a warship. In any case, we have before us the largest European aircraft carrier. The basis of the power of this ship is the 4++ Rafale M generation fighters. In total, it can carry up to 40 aircraft. In terms of its combat potential, Charles de Gaulle loses to American aircraft carriers (they are larger in size and can carry a greater number of winged vehicles). However, the "Charles de Gaulle" also proved its combat capability more than once, in particular during the operation in Syria. British aircraft carriers of the Queen Elizabeth class will soon replace the Charles de Gaulle: when they are put into operation, they will become the largest warships in Europe.
2. Aircraft-carrying cruisers of project 1143
(characteristics correspond to TAVKR "Admiral Kuznetsov")
country Russia
length: 306.45 m
width: 71.96 m
displacement: 59,100 tons (full)
crew: 1980 people
Let's clarify: under the definition of "project 1143" there are several subtypes of aircraft carriers. Four of them ("Kyiv", "Minsk", "Novorossiysk", "Baku") could use Yak-38 vertical takeoff and landing attack aircraft. Later, on the basis of project 1143, the ship of project 1143.5 "Admiral Kuznetsov" was built, as well as two more aircraft-carrying cruisers ("Varyag" and "Ulyanovsk"), which received an extended take-off deck and the ability to use aircraft with conventional takeoff and landing, such as the Su- 33. The fate of all these ships was different. "Admiral Kuznetsov" became the only Russian aircraft carrier. But the Varyag turned into the Chinese Liaoning. The ship "Baku" was modernized and joined the ranks of the Indian Navy under the name "Vikramaditya". "Ulyanovsk" was never completed, although conceptually it was the most advanced of the entire series: it had a steam catapult and, in theory, could use AWACS aircraft.
1. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers
Country: USA
length: 332.8 m
width: 78.4 m
displacement: 106,300 tons
crew: 5680 people
Finally, the well-deserved first place in our rating went to the American giant Nimitz, the largest and most powerful warship of all that are currently in operation. It can accommodate almost 90 aircraft on board! For comparison, "Admiral Kuznetsov" can carry no more than 50 aircraft. The Nimitz air group includes F / A-18 fighters, EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft, E-2C early warning aircraft and other aircraft. The Americans commissioned ten such ships: they were actively used, in particular, during the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the Nimitz is not eternal, and soon this type of ship will be replaced by other aircraft carriers of the Gerald R. Ford type. They will be just as huge, and in addition, they will be able to carry fifth-generation F-35C fighters. In general, Ford will become more economical than its "big brother" while maintaining high combat capabilities.
Man began to master the water element a very long time ago. Scientists believe that man invented the first swimming facilities 50-60 thousand years ago. These were rafts made of bundles of reeds or logs, but this did not prevent our desperate ancestors from embarking on such fragile boats to new islands and even continents. In ancient times, the sea did not separate people, but, on the contrary, connected different cultures and civilizations.
Ancient people used the sea for trade, transportation of goods, search for new territories and for war. Very soon, the sea became another arena of fierce battles. Already in the ancient world, the first specialized warships appeared, large-scale sea battles began to take place. The largest of these was the Battle of Salamis between the Persians and the Greeks, which took place in the Aegean Sea in 480 BC. e.
In the nineteenth century, a real revolution took place in shipbuilding. If earlier all ships (including military ones) moved using wind energy and human muscle strength, then they were replaced by steam engines. Wood, the main building material used by shipbuilders since ancient times, has been replaced by steel.
In the twentieth century, the rapid development of the navy continued. The first aircraft carriers, submarines, missile and torpedo boats appeared. Currently, the Navy is the most high-tech and most expensive branch of the armed forces.
This material tells about the largest warships in the world. Our rating contains not only modern ships, but also ships built in other historical periods. The main criterion is not only the size of the ship, but also the history of its use and the impact it had on the development of naval affairs. The top 10 includes ships built in different countries: in Russia, the USSR, the USA, Great Britain.
So, top 10: the largest ships in the world.
10. MDKVP "Zubr" (USSR / Russia)
Opens our ranking of the 10 largest hovercraft ships. Although this ship bore the official name "small landing ship", this should not mislead you: the displacement of the Zubr is 555 tons, and the length is more than 57 meters. However, the greatest advantage of the ship is its speed, which can reach 60 knots.
The ship was developed in the Soviet Union and put into service in 1988. MDKVP "Zubr" can take on board three main battle tanks (up to 150 tons) and 140 paratroopers. Today, such ships are in service with the Russian and Greek navies.
9. Battleship Yamato (Japan)
In ninth place in the top 10 is the Japanese super battleship of the Second World War period. "Yamato" is the largest warship sunk by the enemy. It was launched in 1939. "Yamato" participated in the battles in the Pacific Ocean and was destroyed by American aircraft, without having time to fire a single volley from its main caliber guns.
The dimensions of this ship are really impressive: length - 263 meters, total displacement - more than 72 thousand tons. It was armed with nine 460-mm main-caliber cannons, which could fire at a distance of up to 45 kilometers.
8. Iowa-class battleships
This is a series of American battleships, the construction of which began before the Second World War. To date, the battleships of this project are the largest existing ships of their class. In total, four battleships were built, they took part in the fighting in the Pacific Ocean, then they supported the ground forces during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Three battleships have been converted into floating museums and another is part of the United States Reserve Fleet.
The length of each of these ships is 270 meters, the displacement is more than 57 thousand tons. Artillery armament consists of nine 406 mm guns and twenty 127 mm guns.
7. Battleship "Bismarck" (Germany)
In seventh place in the top 10 largest ships is another legendary battleship of World War II - Bismarck. This ship was the real pride of the navy of the Third Reich. It was launched in 1939 and had a displacement of over 50,000 tons. In terms of its size and caliber of the main caliber guns, it was second only to the Yamato and Iowa.
In the first raid, the Bismarck was sunk by the combined forces of the British Royal Navy. However, before that, the German battleship was able to sink the flagship of the British, the battleship Hood, to the bottom.
6. Linear sailing ship Santisima Trinidad ("Holy Trinity", Spain)
In sixth place in the top 10 is the Spanish combat sailing ship, which is considered the largest in history. It was built in Cuba in 1769 and was in service with the Spanish Navy for about 35 years.
For its time, the battleship "Holy Trinity" was a real giant. The entire hull, including the skin and deck, was made of a very durable and expensive material - Cuban mahogany, and pine from Mexico was used for the masts. The battleship was armed with 140 guns of various calibers, its displacement was 5 thousand tons, and the crew - 1200 people.
Due to its large size, the ship was very clumsy, but the thickness of the sides of 60 cm made the battleship almost unsinkable. The famous Admiral Nelson repeatedly encountered this ship in battle. The last time this happened was during the battle of Trafalgar: seven English ships of the line fought with the Spanish battleship at the same time, but they were never able to sink it. After the battle was won, the British wanted to tow the giant to Britain, but it sank on the way.
5. Cruiser "Peter the Great" (Russia)
This is the largest of the non-aircraft carriers, it belongs to a series of ships of project 1114 "Orlan", the first of which was launched in 1977. "Peter the Great" was adopted by the Russian Navy in 1996.
The displacement of the Peter the Great is 25860 tons, its length is 250 meters, the most formidable weapon of the ship is the Granit anti-ship missiles, which can hit the enemy at a distance of 550 km. Currently, the cruiser is the flagship of the Russian Northern Fleet.
4. Submarine project 941 "Shark" (USSR / Russia)
In fourth place in the top 10 is the Project 941 Akula nuclear submarine armed with strategic ballistic missiles. This submarine was designed back in the Soviet Union, the first boat of this series was launched in 1981.
The submarine cruiser "Shark" has truly impressive dimensions: length - 172.8 m, underwater displacement - 48 thousand tons. The submarine can dive to a depth of 500 meters. Her crew is 160 people. In addition to torpedo armament, there are 20 R-39 or R-30 Bulava SLBMs on board the ship. Today, the Russian Navy includes three Project 941 submarines.
3. Aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" (USSR / Russia)
2. Battleship HMS Dreadnought (Fearless, UK)
In second place in the top 10 is the ship, the name of which gave the name to a whole subclass of battleships. His appearance made a real revolution in naval affairs.
The Fearless was launched in 1906, the main difference between this ship and the battleships of that time was the increase in the number of main caliber guns and the rejection of intermediate caliber guns. This gave the ship significant tactical advantages. In addition, a steam turbine power plant was used for the first time on the Dreadnought, which provided it with a speed of 21 knots.
After the appearance of this ship, other leading maritime powers began to build similar battleships, all of which received the common name "dreadnought". By the beginning of the First World War, "superdreadnoughts" were already plowing the seas, armed with even more powerful artillery systems.
The displacement of these giant floating airfields is about 100 thousand tons, the length is about 330 meters. All ships of this series are equipped with a nuclear power plant. The area of the take-off deck is more than 18 thousand square meters. meters. Aircraft carriers of this series can take on board up to 90 aircraft and helicopters of various types.
Such a ship alone can decide the outcome of a military conflict with a small country, which was clearly shown by the war with Yugoslavia and Iraq. The existing anti-ship weapons are practically powerless against such aircraft carriers - only the use of nuclear missiles can destroy this sea monster. Today, Nimitz is truly the rightful owner of the oceans.
If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.
One of the main indicators of the military power of the state, as well as its influence and wealth, is the navy. Each country that has a navy strives to take a leading position in this area, and to surpass its opponents in this respect. Two of the well-known leaders - the United States and Russia, are armed with the largest ships in the world, which are presented in this rating.
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10. Izumo
The country: Japan
Displacement: 19500 tons (standard)
Our list opens with a squadron destroyer of the type " Izumo", which was created to detect and destroy submarines and other objects.
The main Japanese helicopter carrier began operating in 2015. The length of the destroyer is 248 meters, the allowable number of people on board is about 1000. The ship is capable of carrying twenty helicopters. Izumo is one of the largest ships built by the Japanese.
In the near future (2017), another Kaga helicopter carrier is expected to be commissioned.
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9. Nuclear cruiser "Peter the Great"
The country: Russia
Displacement: 23750 tons (standard)
The most powerful maritime power - Russia has created four nuclear-powered cruisers of the project 1144 - Orlan. The main cruiser currently in service with the Russian Federation was the cruiser " Peter the Great“, the length of which is 251 meters. Three other cruisers are currently under reconstruction ("Admiral Lazarev", "Admiral Nakhimov" and "Admiral Ushakov").
The main combat mission of "Peter" is the destruction of enemy aircraft carriers. The number of military on the flagship is 1035 people. The flagship is armed with six hundred combat missiles and a large number of other ammunition. And the heart of the cruiser is 2 nuclear reactors of the KN-3 type, producing 300 MW each. The cruiser has two turbines of 70,000 hp each. each, 4 power plants, 4 steam turbine generators and 4 gas turbine generators.
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8. Landing ships of the "UOSP" type
The country: USA
Displacement: 28233 tons (standard)
These landing ships were created for the landing of American troops directly on enemy territory. In total, eight ships of this type were built, and they have been operating since 1989 to the present.
The length of the UOSP is 257 meters. This ship is capable of carrying about 2,000 naval personnel and about 40 aircraft with military air specifics.
The ocean is home to amazing man-made structures, some of them stretching almost half a kilometer in length.
Regular readers are already familiar, it's time to present you with a list of the largest warships ever built. Most of the ships in the top belong to the US Navy.
1
Length: 342 meters
Country: USA
Year of launch: 1961
Type: Aircraft carrier
The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1961. The first and only ship of its project, despite five more “brothers” planned for construction. The total cost of the Enterprise reached $451 million, and this was one of the reasons why the serial construction of the series never began.
2
Length: 333 meters
Country: USA
Year of launch: 1975
Type: Aircraft carrier
a type of American aircraft carrier with a nuclear power plant, are the largest warships in the world. The type was named after the first Nimitz aircraft carrier built, a total of 10 ships of this type were built. The last, tenth, ship of this class "George Bush" was included in the fleet on January 10, 2009.
3
Length: 327 meters
Country: USA
Year of launch: 1955
Type: Aircraft carrier
The aircraft carriers of the Kitty Hawk series were the first large ships in the world to have practically no artillery. The project is an enlarged version of the Forrestal aircraft carriers.
All subsequent American aircraft carriers were already nuclear. Therefore, ships of the "Kitty Hawk" type remain the largest non-nuclear warships.
Compared to the Forrestal, the Kitty Hawk's bow guns were eliminated, the stern guns were paired with rocket launchers, the lifts from the port side were moved to the stern, and from the starboard side to the port side. All Kitty Hawk class vessels are equipped with the most advanced electronics and sonar system. Meanwhile, each ship is unique and similar to its counterparts only in basic performance characteristics.
4 USS Forrestal
Length: 325 meters
Country: USA
Year of launch: 1955
Type: Aircraft carrier
Forrestal is an American aircraft carrier, the lead ship of her class. Named after the first US Secretary of Defense James Forrestal. In fact, Forrestal was the first fully designed aircraft carrier in the post-war period, the design of which fully took into account the experience gained during the Second World War, and also took into account the requirements of jet aviation.
Length: 320 meters
Country: USA
Year of launch: 1968
Type: Aircraft carrier
American aircraft carrier, the fourth and last built in the Kitty Hawk class. Named after John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States. Initially, according to the John F. Kennedy project, it was supposed to be built with a nuclear power plant, but during the construction process the project was changed, and the aircraft carrier received gas turbines.
6
Length: 306 meters
Country: USA
Year of launching: 1945
Type: Aircraft carrier
the very first heavy American aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the Midway class. He took an active part in the bombing of North Vietnam, during the Vietnamese conflict, and also took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Was in the US Navy for about 40 years. Withdrawn from the fleet on April 11, 1992. Since 1998 - a museum ship in San Diego.
7
Length: 302 meters
Country: USSR
Year of launch: 1990
Type: Aircraft carrier
Designed to destroy large surface targets, protect naval formations from attacks by a potential enemy. Named after Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. Built in Nikolaev, at the Black Sea shipyard.
During cruises, Su-25UTG and Su-33 aircraft of the 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment (home base - Severomorsk-3) and Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters of the 830th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment (base airfield - Severomorsk-1).
8
Length: 271 meters
Country: USA
Year of launching: 1929
Type: Aircraft carrier
The US Navy aircraft carrier Lexington was launched in October 1925 and entered service in December 1927. On the starboard side, it had a massive superstructure surrounded by two twin 203-mm guns in front and two behind. Other characteristic features of the aircraft carrier were the armor of the hull up to the flight deck, with the exception of the places for launching and lifting boats.
9
Length: 270 meters
Country: USA
Year of launching: 1943
Type: Battleship
Iowa-class battleships are called the most advanced ships of the artillery and armor era. Indeed, during their creation, American designers and engineers managed to achieve a surprisingly harmonious combination of all the main combat characteristics - weapons, speed and protection. In fact, it was the Iowa that put an end to the evolution of the class of battleships
10
Length: 266 meters
Country: Japan
Year of launching: 1944
Type: Aircraft carrier
Initially, the ship was built as the third battleship of the Yamato class according to the "4th Fleet Development Program of 1937". The ship was laid down on May 4, 1940 at the Navy Yard in Yokosuka. By the beginning of the war on December 7, 1941, the ship was about 50% ready. But after the failure that befell the Japanese in the battle of Midway Atoll, it was decided to rebuild the ship as an aircraft carrier.
The new project was developed by S. Izamura and Vice Admiral K. Fukudo (Yamato designer). The project was completed in September 1942 and rebuilding work began immediately. As part of the new project, the 457 mm and 155 mm artillery turrets were removed, and jet fuel storage tanks with a total capacity of 718 tons were installed in their place. Protection of fuel tanks was provided by two layers of armored steel between which water was poured. The total thickness of the armor was 178 mm. Additionally, outside the fuel tanks were protected by concrete slabs.
