In 1911, when information about the keel-laying of Japanese ships of the Kongō-class came to light, the leadership of the U.S. Navy realized the need to build a battlecruiser. When the construction process started, the Lexington-class battleships were the largest warships ever built in the United States. Their armament consisted of eight 406 mm/50-caliber guns housed in four twin-gun turrets. USS Constellation was laid down in August 1920. The construction order was canceled three years later following the outcome of the Washington Naval Conference.