The Iowa class was the last U.S. battleship ever built, and one of the most iconic. Fittingly, the class was equipped with what might be the most iconic naval gun, the celebrated 16-inch/50 ...

But the sea component was almost augmented to include nuclear artillery shells from the Iowa-class. The artillery shells were known as the Mk 23 (W23) “Katie.” The Katie was developed from ...

The guns could make quick work of any modern warship, except for perhaps another battleship—but they have to get the target in range first. The Iowa ships were heavily armored, as battleships ...