Laid down in April 1940, the Atlanta-class light cruisers were designed by the United States Navy as a return to the concept of a destroyer flotilla leader from before the First World War. This essentially created an overgrown destroyer with extra room for equipment and lots of 5-inch/38 mounts similar to those found on the destroyers she was expected to lead. Although exceptionally powerful against destroyers and thinly armoured light cruisers, this left her vulnerable to more well-armoured cruisers. USS Atlanta would only serve in 3 battles (Midway, the Eastern Solomans, and Guadalcanal) and would be sunk in the naval battle for Guadalcanal. After being struck by at least one torpedo, she was then hit by the friendly heavy cruiser San Francisco. The damage inflicted would later cause the rest of the Atlanta class to be mostly relegated to anti-air duties throughout the rest of the war.

The USS Atlanta was introduced in Update 1.91 "Night Vision", and boasts an impressive main battery of 8 double mount 5-inch guns, the same found on destroyers of the US Navy. With their impressive fire rate and good damage output, captains of USS Atlanta can expect to be able to easily dispatch all destroyers and many light cruisers, though the more well-armoured light cruisers and especially heavy cruisers will resist fire. Compared to other cruisers of the rank, Atlanta has a very weak anti-aircraft battery as she is in her 1941 refit, but the main battery can easily compensate for this when in battle.