 The Italian s and , French and Soviet helicopter cruisers were built from the keel up as guided missile cruisers forward and helicopter carriers aft.In 1980, there was a proposed “Interdiction Assault Ship” conversion for the "Iowa"-class battleships that would have removed the aft main gun turret.This would free up space for a V-shaped ramped flight deck (the base of the V would have been on the ship's stern, while each leg of the V would extend forward, so that planes taking off would fly past the ship's exhaust stacks and conning tower), while a new hangar would be added with two elevators, which would support up to twelve Boeing AV-8B Harrier II jump-jets.