The USS Missouri (BB-63) and the IJN Kirishima were both powerful warships of their respective eras, but they represented entirely different generations of naval warfare. The Missouri, as a cutting-edge Iowa-class battleship, was a vastly superior vessel compared to the older Kongo-class Kirishima. A hypothetical clash between the two would have been a lopsided battle, heavily favoring the Missouri.
Here’s an analysis of why the Missouri would decisively prevail.
Design and Technological Differences
USS Missouri (BB-63):
The USS Missouri was commissioned in 1944, during World War II, as one of the most advanced battleships ever constructed. Key specifications include:
Main Armament: 9 × 16-inch (406 mm) guns capable of firing 2,700-pound armor-piercing shells at ranges of up to 23 miles.
Speed: 33 knots, making it one of the fastest battleships ever built.
Armor: A heavily armored design with up to 12.1 inches on the main belt and 19.7 inches on turret faces.
Fire Control: Equipped with advanced radar-directed targeting systems, allowing precise long-range gunnery even in poor visibility.
Displacement: Over 58,000 tons when fully loaded, providing exceptional stability and survivability.
IJN Kirishima:
The Kirishima, originally commissioned in 1915 as a Kongo-class battlecruiser, was later upgraded to a fast battleship. However, its pre-World War I origins limited its capabilities:
Main Armament: 8 × 14-inch (356 mm) guns firing lighter shells compared to the Missouri, with a similar maximum range but less penetrative power.
Speed: 30 knots, fast for its time but slower than the Missouri.
Armor: Upgraded to around 8 inches on the belt and 10 inches on the turret faces, significantly less than the Missouri’s armor.
Fire Control: Relied on optical rangefinders, with no radar, making long-range targeting far less accurate.
Displacement: About 36,600 tons, making it lighter and less durable in combat.
A Hypothetical Engagement
Long-Range Firepower:
The Missouri's radar-directed 16-inch guns would allow it to engage the Kirishima from beyond visual range, with superior accuracy and destructive power. The Kirishima's optical rangefinders and 14-inch guns, by contrast, would struggle to hit the Missouri at similar distances.
Armor and Survivability:
The Missouri was designed to withstand hits from heavy shells, including 16-inch rounds, meaning the Kirishima's 14-inch shells would have limited effectiveness even if they scored hits. Conversely, the Kirishima’s thinner armor would make it highly vulnerable to the Missouri’s powerful shells, which could penetrate its hull or turrets at long ranges.
Speed and Maneuverability:
Both ships were relatively fast, but the Missouri’s modern propulsion system gave it a slight edge. This would allow it to dictate the range of engagement, keeping the Kirishima at arm’s length where the Iowa-class’s advantages were most pronounced.
Night or Poor-Visibility Combat:
The Missouri’s radar fire control would allow it to detect and target the Kirishima in conditions where the Japanese ship would be blind. This capability was demonstrated during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, where the USS Washington used similar technology to destroy the Kirishima at night.