Delaware
Tier IX · Battleship · U.S.A.
Rating C- (Quite weak within its tier and class · overall score 18) · Agile battleship
Agile battleship, suited to AA escort, air scouting. Launching aircraft every 56 s lights up enemies behind islands and near smoke, a big scouting asset for the team, and its bomber strikes (6 bombs at 1,239 each) reach targets beyond gun range. Strong AA fends off carrier strikes well. Key skills: Rapid Reload I ×2 (main battery reload +18%, 20 s). Its firepower trails other battleships, so be selective and punish broadsides. A firepower equipment build improves reload 22→20.9 s, dispersion 337→307 m.
Key stats
- HP: 55,578
- Top speed: 32.25 kn
- Surface detectability: 11.82 km
- Main battery: 406 mm 3X3 · reload 22 s · range 13.92 km
In the 1940s and 50s, the option of transforming the Iowa-class battleships into hybrid battleship-carriers was considered. This would have required the installation of a flight deck at least 350 feet long, and it would also have been necessary to preserve the ship's combat power. It was determined that both requirements could be met by relocating the third turret to the ship's stern and replacing it with a twin-gun turret to balance the ship's weight distribution.