The New Battleship
According to the nearly universal doctrine of the age, the battleship reigned as Queen of the Sea. As a result of studies undertaken from 1934 by the chief of the Navy Corps of Engineers,General Umberto Pugliese, the Regia Marina hoped to add an additional pair of capital ships which, unlike the two Littorios laid down in 1934,could disregard Washington treaty limitations at a standard displacement of 41,000tons (quickly in creased after just a few months to 42,000tons due to design modifications).In tended to show the flag with periodic visits to the future East African bases, this battleship design formed the foundation of a new, greater Italian fleet.
In addition to meeting a detailed list of requirements, the ship had to be capable of steaming at 32knots and carrying nine 406/50 guns arranged in three triple turrets,as well as twelve 152/55 pieces also in triple turrets. The aerial component included four floatplanes launched from a new telescoping catapult and stowed in a covered hangar below decks astern. Pugliese designed a new keel between 1932 and 1934 when he headed the Spezia naval yard;this keel permitted a reduction in draught of one metre without sacrificing speed or range. The battleship’s lines were an improvement over the Littorios, and in 1937 the designers incorporated them into the two Romas