Iowa-class (BB-61)
Summary
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Battleship |
| Subtype | Heavy battleship |
| Manufacturer | New York Navy Yard |
| Year commissioned | 1943 |
Description
The USS Iowa (BB-61) is the lead ship of her class of battleships and is often referred to as "The Big Stick," a nod to President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy of "speak softly, and carry a big stick." Commissioned in 1943, she was constructed as a part of the naval buildup during World War II and was the first ship of her class to serve in the Atlantic Ocean.
Designed with fast battleship concepts, Iowa was equipped with a powerful armament that included nine 16-inch (406 mm) guns capable of firing 2,700-pound armor-piercing shells some 20 miles. This impressive firepower was complemented by an array of twenty 5-inch (127 mm) guns, anti-aircraft guns, and later, missile systems. Her design also incorporated heavy armor and modern radar systems for the time, designed to maximize her offensive and defensive capabilities.
Throughout her operational history, the USS Iowa has served in several significant missions across multiple theaters. During World War II, she ferried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to Mers El Kébir, Algeria, for a conference with Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Britain, General Charles de Gaulle of France, and King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia. She also served in the Pacific Theater, providing gun support for landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, a decisive Allied victory.
Following World War II, Iowa was briefly decommissioned but was reactivated to serve in the Korean War. Here, she provided seaborne firepower support for United Nations forces, conducting bombardments against North Korean targets. After the Korean War, Iowa alternated between periods of inactivity and service, which included training exercises and goodwill visits to various countries.
During the Cold War era, the battleship's capabilities were upgraded to include modern electronics, radar, and missile systems, reflecting the technological advancements of the period. Iowa was reactivated once again in the 1980s, modernized under the 1980s defense buildup, and saw action in the Panama invasion of 1989, providing critical fire support.
USS Iowa's service was not without tragedy. In 1989, an explosion in one of her gun turrets killed 47 crew members, leading to significant safety and operational reviews. After this incident, and with the end of the Cold War, Iowa was decommissioned for the last time in 1990.
Though primarily operated by the United States Navy, USS Iowa's influence extended beyond American borders through her deterrent presence during the Cold War and her contributions to collective security efforts under the United Nations command during the Korean War.
Technical specifications
| Iowa | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 57540 tons |
| Range | 15000 km at 17 knots |
| Crew | 2788 members |
| Width | 32.97 m (108.2 ft) |
| Length | 270.43 m (887.2 ft) |
| Propulsion | 4 General Electric turboprops with a total power of 212,000 hp - 4 propellers |
| Thrust | 10500 hp |
| Armament | 9 Mod.1936 406 mm guns + 20 Mk.12 127 mm guns + 80 Bofors 40 mm guns + 49 20 mm AA guns (World War II), 32 BGM-109 (IV) + 16 UGM-84 (IV 4) + 9 Mod.1936 406 mm (III 3) + 12 Mk.12 127 mm (II 6) + 4 CIWS Mk.15 Phalanx + 4 SH-60 LAMPS III (after refit). |
| Maximum speed | 33 knots |
Photo of Iowa class
