Iowa Class News Today

The Iowa-class battleships, designed during the Interwar Years, symbolize a bygone era of U.S. naval dominance and strategic foresight, tailored specifically to combat the then-imminent threat from the Japanese Empire. They showcase today, in many respects, how the U.S. navy could be in decline. 

The Montana-class battleship, planned as a successor to the Iowa-class during WWII, was never built due to the rising prominence of aircraft carriers in naval warfare.

The Montana-class battleships, authorized but never constructed, represented what could have been the pinnacle of U.S. naval power during World War II, eclipsed by the strategic shift towards aircraft carriers. Designed to outclass the preceding Iowa-class in firepower and size, the Montana-class aimed to enhance U.S. naval capabilities significantly.

I love the Battleship New Jersey and have followed the ship—and its associated museum in Camden—for many years. When I first toured BB-62 a few years ago, I took almost 800 photos on deck and inside. But just recently, I was able to go on a much more intimate tour. 

Beyond the fact that the USS New Jersey and her Iowa-class sister battleships would make gigantic targets, the reality is that smaller ships can do the same job. A bigger issue is that the U.S. Navy – like most of the other branches of the U.S. military – is struggling to meet recruiting goals.

The USS Kentucky, BB-66, a vessel initially intended to be a powerhouse of the U.S. Navy's Montana-class, illustrates the evolving priorities and strategic shifts in naval warfare during and after World War II.

Often referred to as “Big J” back in the day, USS New Jersey (BB-62) earned the most battle stars for combat actions than her three other Iowa-class sister-ships.

The Korean War provided what was thought to be a final operational hurrah for the Iowa-class battleships, the largest and heaviest ever built by the U.S. Navy.

As the only Iowa-class battleship museum in its namesake state, the USS New Jersey offers an immersive experience into naval history, allowing visitors to explore various decks, interact with historical artifacts such as the 16-inch gun turret, and engage with exhibits that showcase its service from World War II through the Gulf War.

During the Vietnam War, the USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship, played a significant role in naval gunfire support. As one of the largest battleships ever commissioned, its recommissioning in April 1968 marked a unique contribution to the conflict, offering devastating firepower from its nine 16-inch guns to support ground forces.