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In an unexpected twist of naval fate, ardent advocates for the majestic dreadnoughts have swayed the United States Navy to reinstate two iconic battleships, the Iowa (BB-61) and Wisconsin (BB-64), to the Naval Vessel Register (NVR).
![Coast Guard Cutter Taney](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1714398517-2666.jpg)
The reactivation of these storied vessels, despite their obsolescence and the staggering cost exceeding that of modern destroyers, has become a topic of both intrigue and scrutiny within the military community.
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The decision was catalyzed by a concerted campaign of press coverage and persuasive letters to Congress, culminating in a 17 to 3 vote by the Senate Armed Services Committee on 29 June 1995 to retain these ships in mothballs.
![](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/470px-BB61_USS_Iowa_BB61_broadside_USN.jpg)
These advocates argued that the Iowa-class battleships remained the Navy’s “only remaining potential source of around-the-clock accurate, high-volume, heavy fire support,” according to the Senate report.
![](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BB61_MS32-1B.jpg)
The Navy, however, had delayed their reinstatement until a memo was signed on 21 January 1998 by Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jay Johnson, and later by Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton on 12 February 1998.
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Yet, the two battleships were brought back into the fold on 30 December 1997, raising questions about their relevance in an era where naval warfare has evolved drastically.
![](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1327px-USS_Iowa_1945_LOC_182971pu-1024x833.jpg)
With the advent of over-the-horizon amphibious assaults utilizing MV-22 Ospreys, helicopters, and air-cushioned landing crafts, the 16-inch guns of the Iowa class—with a maximum range of 27 miles—fall short of the required capabilities.
![](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_163383888_S-1.jpg)
Alternatives to the outdated 16-inch guns include the 5-inch/62-caliber gun aboard the destroyer Winston Churchill (DDG-81) with a range of 63 nautical miles, and the vertical gun for advanced ships (VGAS) expected to enter service by 2008, offering a range of about 100 nautical miles.
![](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NH_78940_USS_Wisconsin_BB-64.jpg)
Missiles such as the Army Tactical Missile System and Tomahawk variants, deployable by cruisers and destroyers post-2000, offer even greater flexibility and range.
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The financial burden of reactivating these two battleships is another significant concern. With the total cost for reactivation during the Reagan administration’s four-ship fleet build-up amounting to approximately $1.66 billion, the projected expense to bring back just two ships could surpass $1 billion. That’s more than the cost of an Aegis destroyer outfitted with 90 missiles. Additionally, there are logistical challenges in upgrading the battleships with compatible modern equipment, sourcing the massive 1,600-person crew per ship, and providing up to six months of at-sea training before these ships could be combat-ready, potentially extending the timeframe to 18 months from order to operational status.
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