Disraeliland-class Battleship

The Disraeliland-class Battleships are the first new battleships designed since World War II.

The Confederate States of Disraeliland Navy had been operating four Improved Vanguard-class Battleships since 1948, but after almost 50 years, and millions of miles of continuous service, it was felt that they needed replacement. Studies were initiated during the early-1990's as to what the future major surface unit of the CSDN should be. The roles to be performed were as follows:

• Provide a command and control capability for a fleet
• Provide naval gunfire support to land operations
• Act as a cruise missile platform
• Dominate the surrounding sea

One further requirement was independence in operation, including the provision of air defence. The Vanguards required support from destroyers, and light aircraft carriers. Another weakness the lack of space for helicopters. The ships did have a helipad, but no hangars.

The Navy, Air Force, and Treasury leaned towards an AEGIS-equipped nuclear propelled cruiser. The Army and Marine Corps (as well as some voices in the Navy) favoured a battleship.

An independent study laid out a specification that became the basis for the new ships. It called for an AEGIS-equipped, nuclear-propelled battleship, with a small air groups of Harriers, and helicopters.

The Pacifica Shipbuilding Corporation designed the class, producing a trimaran design with excellect seakeeping qualities, better even than the Vanguards, which were always reputed as among the best seakeeping ships. To save costs, the new ships it was planned that the existing Mark 7 16in mountings would be used (an irony, since the original HMS Vanguard was armed with used guns), however, in the event new turrets were designed, taking advantages of 50 years of advancement in naval artillery. The mounts resemble the Mk 7 mountings, but are more automated, require fewer crew, have longer, strengthened barrels (32in longer), and the same advanced armour as the rest of the ship. These guns are capable of firing a GPS guided Scramjet-assisted round to a range of 500 miles.

Specifications:

One ship has been completed, the CSDS Disraeliland (BBGN 1), one more is in construction, the CSDS Independence (BBGN 2) and is expected to join the fleet in 2008, two more are planned, the CSDS Constitution (BBGN 3), and the CSDS Confederation (BBGN 4). The Navy plans to have keels laid down in 2007 and 2008 respectively.