Modernized Iowa Class versus Essex WWII Carrier Class

[talshiar]

I don't like to usually sit and debate the ship vs. ship scenario, but I am interested in anyone's opinion who wishes to give it. This is a clearly hypothetical question. But given that the Iowa class were constructed in WWII, how well do you think one of them (which ever one) after its 1980's modernization would hold up to an full assault from the air wing of an American Essex Class carrier from WWII? Especially what everyone thinks how the 20 mm Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) would perform? It was designed as a last ditch weapon against missiles and fixed wing aircraft, and the US Navy is now beginning to start phasing it out.

Jared

[Camarogenius]

Well as shown by Doolittle prior to WWII, aircraft have the huge advantage over a ship.
That said, The Iowa class would be able to soak up a tremendous amount of punishment.
Having served aboard the Iowa, I can tell you that she is built to survive an unbelieveable pounding. Everything is redundant.
Against WWII era planes with .50 machine guns, and 500 pound bombs, She'd survive, and chase down the carrier that launched them. She wouldn't be free of damage, but she'd be able to fight.
Of course, I'm biased.:D

[Don Boyer]

Not taking in to account the Aegis-equipped cruiser and destroyer escorts that always accompany and Iowa, the four Phalanx would wreak havoc on an Essex air group of 80+ aircraft. The Phalanx's track-while-scan radars give the gun an enormous advantage over WWII fire control in that it does it's own mathematics instantly -- it can fire and not have to wait for visible results before moving on to the next target. Worse for the Essex would be the eight or ten Harpoon missiles -- which could not be tracked, targeted and shot down by an Essex's fire control/ AA gun system -- soon to drop in on her. The Iowa would launch Harpoons as soon as the air group was detected inbound. If Harpoons weren't enough, there would be the Tomahawk anti-ship version. Worse case scenario a Tomahawk with a 300 kiloton thermonuke (the standard fit) would undoubtedly end any air assault even with a reduced yield selected. The neat thing about the upgrades given to the four Iowa's was that they made an already superb gun platform -- probably the best ever built -- just that much better. It was one of the few naval construction re-builds that was a win-win from the get go. Camarogenius would probably agree. Would an Iowa survive a full assault from Soviet Blinders with long-range anti-ship missiles??? That's a lot more iffy. The Iowa would have to rely heavily on the Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers with her.