April 23, 2026: A new Chinese warship has been spotted by satellite photos under construction in a shipyard. The ship has two large square spaces visible that reveal the position and size of the main VLS/Vertical Launch System. Large warships are often measured in terms of the number of VLS cells they have. Estimates imply that the Chinese super battleship will have over 200 VLS cells, far more than earlier designs. It is believed that these cells will likely carry new quantum hyper-sonic weapons. Quantum hypersonic weapons combine quantum technology with hypersonic speeds, exceeding Mach 5.They travel faster than traditional missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Quantum technology applies principles of quantum mechanics for improved targeting and guidance systems. This enables missiles to evade radar and other detection systems through advanced materials and appearances. These missiles could be used for strategic military strikes, defense systems, and avoidance capabilities.

The main gun battery is reportedly to contain at least three rail guns. This is a technology which China has been testing for years. High-powered lasers, strong enough to threaten low-earth-orbit satellites, will provide anti-missile and air defense.

The central citadel, referred to as Xi Tower in Chinese language sources, has 12 decks and offers commanding sea views from the upper stories. The navigation bridge, where the Captain sits, is topped by the flag bridge for Admirals. And above that is the viewing bridge for political Commissars, demonstrating the status of Chinese military hierarchies. The uppermost floor is divided into four apartments. The private club and other hosting facilities are expected to outshine those of the proposed American ship design, an advantage when you want to intimidate potential adversaries or allies.

As the major nations move to the Floating Fortress stage of international competition, naval might is being measured in volume. The sheer scale of this vessel suggests a shift in naval doctrine: from outmaneuvering the enemy to simply obstructing their freedom of navigation.

Now China is building a vessel with the land area of a mid-sized suburb. It has stopped being a naval arms race and has become a hostile real estate takeover of the Pacific.

In comparison, the last American conventional battleships armed with 16”/406mm guns were the four 60,000 Iowa class. Four of these ships were built between 1940 and 1944. Each cost $1.6 billion in 2026 dollars. These vessels were 270 meters long, with a top speed of 61 kilometers an hour and a range of 27,000 kilometers at 28 kilometers an hour cruising speed. The ship carried a crew of 2,700 and was armed with nine 406mm cannon, twenty 5”/127mm guns, 80 40mm and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns. The large guns had a range of 43 kilometers. Electronics include air and surface search radars as well as a fire control radar. Belt armor for the four Iowa’s were 307mm to 368mm depending on the ship. Turrets, conning tower and decks were also armored. Aircraft consisted of three float planes.

The four Iowa’s were decommissioned after World War II and then brought back several times. USS Iowa was decommissioned in 1949, brought back 1951-88 and finally in 1984-90. For New Jersey it was 1948, 1950-57, 1968-69 and 1982-91. For Missouri it was 1955, and 1986-92. For Wisconsin it was 1948, 1951-58, and 1988-91. When returned to service after World War II, the Iowa’s received upgrades consisting of missile launchers, improved electronics and helicopters/drones instead of floatplanes.

Another aspect of all this is how, since World War II, the descriptions given to warships have evolved. Warships called destroyers appeared a century ago and by the end of World War I they were ships of about 1,000 tons armed with a few guns and some torpedoes and depth charges. By World War II, destroyers had grown to about 3,000 tons. There were also cruisers, weighing in at between 6,000 and 12,000 tons, and battleships, which were 30-60,000 tons. Half a century later, all that's left for surface warfare are destroyers and frigates. For whatever reason, the modern frigates perform the same mission and are about the same size as the World War II destroyers.

Meanwhile modern destroyers have grown to the size of World War II cruisers. Actually, some of the larger destroyers are called cruisers, even though they are only 10-20 percent heavier than the largest destroyers. The latest ships in the U.S. Navy's Burke class destroyers weigh 9,200 tons, cost $1.5 billion to build, have a crew of about 330 sailors, and carry 96 anti-aircraft and cruise missiles. There's only one 5 inch gun, but two helicopters. These modern destroyers could take on any World War II cruiser and win, mainly because the cruise missiles have a range of 1,500 kilometers. A Burke class ship could probably defeat a World War II battleship, although we'll never know for sure since one of those heavily armored ships never got hit by a modern cruise missile. In effect, the U.S. Navy has settled on just four major combat ship types; aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and nuclear submarines.