What is a heavy cruiser?

A heavy cruiser is a type of warship that is typically armed with a main battery of larger caliber guns, usually ranging from 6 to 8 inches, making it more heavily armed than a light cruiser but lighter than a battleship. Designed primarily for fleet actions and supporting naval operations, heavy cruisers played a significant role during World War II. They often served in various capacities, including anti-aircraft defense, surface combat, and as command ships. The heavy cruiser classification has largely become obsolete in modern naval warfare.