If the Navy wants to replace the aircraft carrier as its primary power projection platform—as it should, considering the carrier’s weaknesses—it should look forward, not backward.
With news that the USS Harry S. Truman, one of America’s vaunted nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, might have narrowly avoided a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile while conducting operations against the Yemeni-based terrorist group in the Red Sea, many observers are wistfully remembering the days of the battleship.
Back in those days, size and firepower were not a problem. But we must avoid the temptation to look at the past through rosy-eyed goggles. And there was a very real reason for why the carrier not only replaced the battleships of yore, but has remained as the primary power projection platform for the United States Navy since.
Still, remembering the battleships and the kind of armor and punch they could pack can make even the most casual observer reminisce over what might have been. One such old battleship that comes to mind is the USS Tennessee (BB-43), a Tennessee-class battleship that served during the Second World War.
The History of the USS Tennessee
Commissioned on June 3, 1920, the USS Tennessee (BB-43) was constructed at the New York Navy Yard and was viewed as a marvel of twentieth century engineering. Armed with 14-inch guns in four triple turrets, eight five-inch guns, and an array of anti-aircraft weaponry, the Tennessee was designed to project power across the seas. Its advanced armor and propulsion systems made it one of the most formidable ships of the era, capable of speeds of up to 21 knots (24 miles per hour).
Having entered service after the First World War, the Tennessee’s early years were spent in the tiny postwar U.S. Navy. Her mission sets at that time included training exercises and goodwill missions. But the battleship’s true test took place at the start of World War II.
When the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Tennessee was moored at the naval base. She was specifically stationed in “Battleship Row,” where, as the name suggests, the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet’s battleship force were neatly lined up, making them easy targets for Japanese pilots.
BB-43 was struck by two bombs and damaged by fires from the nearby USS Arizona’s explosion. Despite the chaos, the ship’s crew managed to keep the iconic battleship operational, and the Tennessee avoided the catastrophic losses suffered by her fellow battlewagons on that terrible day.
Following repairs and modernization in 1942, which included enhanced anti-aircraft defenses and radar systems, the Tennessee returned to the Pacific Theater as a revitalized force. The battleship played a decisive role in numerous campaigns, showcasing its versatility and firepower.
During the Battle of the Aleutian Islands in 1943, for example, BB-43 provided crucial bombardment support for U.S. forces that were tasked with dislodging the Japanese from the outlying Alaskan islands. At the Battle of Surigao Strait a year later, the Tennessee contributed to the decisive American victory, helping to destroy IJN forces in one of the last traditional battleship engagements in history.
The Tennessee’s guns roared again during the U.S. invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945, where it provided shore bombardment to support the US Marines’ amphibious landings. BB-43’s ability to deliver precise, devastating barrages earned it the admiration of ground troops and cemented its reputation as a linchpin of naval support. By the end of WWII, the USS Tennessee had earned an astonishing ten battle stars for its distinguished service, a testament to its relentless contributions to the Allied victory.
After Japan’s surrender in August 1945, the USS Tennessee supported the occupation of Japan before returning to the United States. The rapid shift to a postwar navy, coupled with the advent of those aircraft carriers—as well as nuclear technology—rendered battleships like BB-43 obsolete.
In 1947, the ship was decommissioned and placed in the reserve fleet at Puget Sound, Washington. On March 1, 1959, the USS Tennessee was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrap, marking the end of its storied career.
We Can Still Love the Battleship—but We Need to Leave It Behind
The Tennessee and her sister ships’ armaments and capabilities were impressive. But in today’s world of long-range missiles, hypersonic weapons, and drones, why would people seriously believe that such a system—upgraded, of course—do better for the Navy against the Houthis than a more modern ship? That’s to say nothing of the fact that the range of her weapons would need to be drastically extended.
Battleships such as the USS Tennessee were phenomenal for their era, and were (at times unfairly) overshadowed by the aircraft carrier. But even if we could bring back an updated version of one of the old battleships from the WWII era, we would find that these systems would not be as helpful in the modern naval battlefield as some wish.
If the Navy wants to replace the aircraft carrier as its primary power projection platform—as it should, considering the carrier’s weaknesses—it should look forward, not backward. The Pentagon must look to unmanned systems, submarines, hypersonic weapons, and directed energy weapons (DEWs) as alternatives to the existing flattop. The aircraft carrier is not cutting it for the Navy’s needs against an entrenched (and well-armed) enemy like the Houthis—but the battleship is not the replacement American needs.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Jason Nemirov.
