Bainbridge (CGN 25)
This was the US Navy’s third nuclear-powered surface ship after the Enterprise (CVN 65) and the Long Beach (CGN 9). She differs from the later Truxtun (CGN 35) in being a “double-end” missile ship and in not having a 5-in gun and helicopter-support capability.
Her long-forecastle hull breaks just ahead of the aft twin-rail Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher. A split superstructure set well aft has short lattice masts carrying large radar antenna, and transom stern. Ahead of the superstructure is the forward SAM launcher and sloping reload house. Abaft the reload house is the eight-cell Antisubmarine Rocket (ASROC) box; no reloads are provided. Above the bridge are two SPG-55 missile guidance radar pedestals; two more SPG-55 pedestals are located abaft the mainmast.
The ship has a helicopter landing area on the fantail, but no hangar.
DEVELOPMENT ”
The Bainfmdge was built by Bethlehem Steel in Quincy, Massachusetts, and commissioned in 1962. Her sensors were upgraded in 1983-85 and Phalanx Close-in Weapons Systems (CIWS) mounts were installed high in the after superstructure ahead of the mainmast at the same time. She was decommissioned in FY1994.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 8,580 tons full load DIMENSIONS
length 565 ft (172.3 m) overall
beam 58 ft (17.7m)
draft 29 ft (8.8 m)
MACHINERY 2 General Electric D2G pressurized-water reactors, 2 steam turbines, 60,000 shp on 2 shaftsA 30 kts,
range 90,000 nm at 20 kts, electric power 14,500 kW CREW 558
WEAPONS
2 twin Mk 10 Mod 5/6 launchers for Terrier/Standard-ER SAM (80 missiles)
8 Harpoon SSM Mk 141 (2 quad canisters)
2 20-mm Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx
GatHng-type CIWS 1 8-cell Mk 16 ASROC launcher 6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo
tubes in triple mounts
HELICOPTERS landing area
SENSORS
SPS-48C 3D air-search radar SPS-49 2D air-search radar
SPS-67 surface-search radar
SQQ-23 bow-mounted active medium-
frequency sonar 4 Mk 76 missile fire control systems
with 4 SPG-55B target-illuminating
radars
SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system
4 Mk 36 SRBOC 6-barrel chaff/flare
launchers
Belknap (CG 26)
These nine “single-end” guided-missile cruisers were built to screen aircraft carriers. They were built to an improved Leahy (CG 16)-class design with a 5-in gun substituted for the after Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher. Like the Leahys, the Belknaps have a long-forecastle hull with a cut-down fantail and transom stern. The Mk 10 Mod 7 twin-rail SAM launcher is mounted on the forecastle ahead of the bridge. A sloping reload deckhouse abaft the launchers leads to three 20-round magazine “rings” (one more “ring” than the earlier Leahys to compensate for the reduction in launchers).
The superstructure is dominated by the superimposed SPG-55D target-illuminating radars, the combined mast stack (“mack”) abaft the bridge bearing the SPS-48 planar-array antenna, and a short main mack topped by the SPS-49 truncated paraboloid antenna.
The helicopter hangar in these ships varies in size. Abaft the hangar is the flight deck, which extends the forecastle deck level aft of the hull plating break. On the fantail is the 5-in (127-mm) gun mount.
From 1986 to 1991, all Belknaps except the lead ship received the New Threat Upgrade (NTU), which greatly improves the ships’ Antiair Warfare (AAW) capability to go with the Standard SM-2 ER
Block II missile. In addition to upgraded radars, command and control as well as missile control systems were modernized.
The Belknapwas modified to serve as a numbered fleet flagship in 1986. She has more superstructure and represents a separate class.
DEVELOPMENT •
Five ofthe nine ships were built by Bath Iron Works; Todd’s San Pedro yard built one, San Francisco Navy Yard built one, and Puget Sound Navy Yard constructed two. All were completed between 1964 and 1967. Wain-wright and Biddle were the first of the class to be earmarked for decommissioning, their day coming in FY1994. The rest followed in 1994 and 1995.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE •
In April 1988, Wainwrigh,t helped to sink the Iranian missile boat Joshan with Standard SAMs.
During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, \hejouett, Home, and Biddle operated in the Persian Gulf region. The Jouett escorted the carrier Independence (CV 62) from June to November 1990. The Bid-die escorted the Saratoga (CV 60) from August 1990 to March 1991. The Home served in the gulf-based Middle East Force from December 1990 to April 1991.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 7,930 tons full load
DIMENSIONS
length 547 ft (166.7 m) overall
beam 55 ft (16.7 m)
draft 28 ft 10 in (8.8m)
MACHINERY 4 boilers (Babcock & Wilcox in all but CG 29-31 and 33, which have Combustion Engineering) , 2 steam turbines (GE in all but
CG 29-31 and 33, which have De Laval), 85,000 shp on 2 shafts=33 kts, 2,500 nm at 30 kts, 8,000 nm at 14 kts, electric power 6,800 kW
CREW 492
WEAPONS
1 twin Mk 10 Mod 7 launcher for RIM-67C Standard SM-2 ER SAM (60 missiles)
8 Harpoon SSM (2 quad canisters Mk 141)
1 5-in (127-mm)/54-cal Mk 42 dual-purpose gun
20-mm Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx Gatling-
typeCIWS ASROC ASW missiles launched from
Mk 10 missile launcher 6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo
tubes in triple mounts HELICOPTERS 1 SH-2F/G LAMPS I
SENSORS
SPS-48E 3D air-search radar SPS-49 (V) 3 2D air-search radar
SPS-67 surface-search radar
Mk 68 gunfire control system with
SPG-53F radar
2 SPG-55B illuminating radar
SQS-53A bow-mounted active sonar in
Belknap
SQS-26AXR bow-mounted active sonar in Josephus Daniels SQS-26BX bow-mounted active sonar
in remaining ships SLQ-32(V)3 passive/active EW system SLQ-34 Outboard jammer in 6 ships 4 Mk 36 SRBOC 6-barrel chaff/flare launchers
California (CGN 36)
These two ships—California and South Carolina—represented the US Navy’s hope that experimentation with nuclear power in surface ships could be supplanted by series production. It was a vain hope, partly because of their cost and because of steady changes in weaponry and threats to the fleet. This class is fitted with single-rail Mk 13 launchers for the Standard SM-1 MR missile system, rather than the twin-rail Mk 26 found on most US cruisers. Refits and modifications have been limited; for example, these ships do not carry Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.
The low, split superstructure is set relatively far aft. Each superstructure block is topped by a conically tapered, plated mast. These ships have a large helicopter landing area aft, but no hangar or maintenance facilities. They have separate AS-ROC (Antisubmarine Rocket) “box” launchers because their Mk 13 launchers cannot accommodate the Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) weapons.
In addition to the two single 5-in/54-cal Mk 45 gun mounts, Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) multibarrel mounts were fitted ahead and outboard of the mainmast.
DEVELOPMENT •
Both ships were originally classified as guided-missile frigates (DLGN) but were changed to CGN on June 30, 1975. They were built by Newport News Shipbuilding and delivered in 1974 and 1975. The construction of additional units was deferred in favor of the more capable Virginia class.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE •
The South
Carolina sailed to the Mediterranean in September 1990, accompanying the carrier Saratogas (CV 60) battle group in the Desert Shield theater of operations from October 23 to December 11. Then, as flagship of Cruiser-Destroyer Squadron 24 (CruDesRon 24), the South Carolina coordinated antiair warfare operations in the Mediterranean to forestall intervention from states allied with Iraq.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 10,530 tons full load DIMENSIONS
length 596 ft 6 in (181.8m)
overall beam 61 ft (18.6m)
draft 31 ft 6 in (9.6 m)
MACHINERY 2 General Electric D2G pressurized-water reactors, 2 steam turbines, 60,000 shp on 2 shafts=30+ kts
CREW 595-603
WEAPONS
2 single Mk 13 Mod 3 launchers for
RIM-66C/E Standard SM-1 MR
SAM (80 missiles) 8 Harpoon SSM (2 quad canisters Mk 141)
2 single 5-in (127-mm)/54-cal Mk 45
dual-purpose guns
2 20-mm Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx Gatling-type CIWS
1 8-tube ASROC launcher and 4 fixed
12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo tubes
HELICOPTERS landing area
SENSORS
SPS-48 3D air-search radar SPS-49 2D air-search radar SPS-67 surface-search radar
2 SPG-51D missile control radars Mk 86 gunfire control system with
SPG-60 and SPQ-9 radars
SQS-26 series bow-mounted active sonar
SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system
Leahy (CG 16)
These nine cruisers are “double-enders,” having twin-rail Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers fore and aft and no gun armament larger than a 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx Gatling-type Close-in Weapons System (CIWS). Their lack of gun armament and the relatively low-powered sonar underscore their principal role as Antiair Warfare (AAW) fleet escorts. In tonnage and length, they are the smallest US Navy ships currently classified as cruisers.
This class introduced the “mack” superstructure (combination masts and exhaust stacks) to US warships. A split superstructure, each with its own mack, long-forecasde hull, and missile launchers with sloping reload houses mark the design. Each launcher has two 20-missile “rings” below. The forward black-capped mack has the SPS^8E planar-array antenna stepped forward and a tall topmast abaft the mack. The short main mack is topped by the SPS-49 truncated paraboloid antenna; the topmast is stepped ahead of the exhaust uptake. Above the bridge are two SPG-55 missile guidance radar pedestals; two more SPG-55 pedestals are located abaft the mainmast. Some ships have been fitted with the Hughes Aircraft Naval Mast-
Mounted Sight (NMMS).
As built, all ships of this class had two 3-in/50-cal twin antiaircraft mounts amidships. These were removed and Harpoon missile canisters were fitted in their place. The Leahys also received the New Threat Upgrade (NTU), which greatly improves the ships’ AAW capability to go with the Standard SM-2 ER Block II missile. In addition to upgraded radars, command and control as well as missile control systems were modernized.
DEVELOPMENT •
All nine ships were built as DLGs (guided-missile destroyer leaders), being reclassified as cruisers in 1975. Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, built three, New York Shipbuilding of Camden, New Jersey, two; Puget Sound Shipbuilding (later Lockheed), Todd’s San Pedro, California, yard, and the navy yards at San Francisco and Puget Sound all had one. Completions came between August 1962 and May 1964.
First retirements in the class were the Leahy, Harry E. Yarnell, Warden, and Reeves in FY1994. RichmondK. Tunwrwas the last inFY1995.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE •
The Warden, Richmond K. Turner, and Engtandwere deployed to the Persian Gulf region during Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm. The England operated with the Gulf-based Middle East Force from June to 3 November 1990, and was succeeded by the Warden. Turner sortied as part of the Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) battle group in December 1990, arriving in the theater on January 14.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 8,200 tons full load
DIMENSIONS
length 533 ft (162.5 m) overall beam 55ft (16.8m)
draft 25 ft (7.6 m)
MACHINERY 4 boilers (Babcock & Wilcox in CG 16-18, Foster Wheeler in CG 19-24), 2 steam turbines (General Electric in CG 16-18, De Laval in
CG 19-22, Allis-Chalmers in CG 2324), 85,000 shp on 2 shafts=32 kts,
range 8,000 nm at 20 kts, electric
power 6,800 kW
CREW 423
WEAPONS
2 twin Mk 10 Mod 5/6 launchers for RIM-67C Standard-ER SAM (80
missiles)
8 Harpoon SSM in 2 quad canisters
2 20-mm Mk 15 Mod 2 Gatling-type
CIWS
1 8-cell ASROC launcher
6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo
tubes in triple mounts
SENSORS
SPS-48E 3D air-search radar
SPS-49 (V) 3 2D air-search radar
4 Mk 76 missile fire control systems 4 SPG-55B target-illumination radars SPS-10F or Norden SPS-67 surface-
search radar CRP-1900ND navigation radar (CG
16), LN-66 navigation radar (CG 17,
21, 23), CRP-2900 navigation radar (CG 22, 24) SQS-23 bow mounted active medium-frequency sonar except SQQ-23B
PAIR in CGI 7
NMMS in some ships
SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system
4 Mk 36 SRBOC 6-barrel chaff/flare
launchers
Long Beach (CGN 9)
The Long Beach was the world’s first nuclear-powered surface warship. Although originally intended to be the first of the nuclear “frigates” (e.g., what was eventually realized in the Bainbridge), she became instead the nuclear-powered equivalent of a traditional heavy cruiser. The design kept growing as more and more systems were added. In the end, like an all-gun heavy cruiser in the battleship era, the missile-laden Long Beach was designed to support aircraft carriers while being capable of operating on her own. Her cost, however, as well as the limitations of the Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) then in service made her a one-of-a-kind ship.
As completed, Long Beach had a long-range Talos twin-rail launcher aft and stepped twin-rail Terrier launchers forward. In the late 1970s, Congress proposed fitting the Long Beach with the Aegis phased-array radar and weapons system; the FY1978 budget provided $371 million to begin Aegis conversion. Navy fears that such a conversion would imperil construction of new nuclear-propelled cruisers, combined with a Carter administration reluctance to take on the expense of this one-ship program, killed the plan.
She retained her original weapons and electronics until 1979, when the Talos system (launcher and radars) was removed, the space later being filled by two quad Armored Box Launchers (ABL) for Tomahawk cruise missiles. A year later came the dismantling of the “billboard” antennas for the electronically scanned AN/SPS-32/33 3D radars that gave the bridge superstructure its unusual (and quite unstealthy) profile; the plating is now protected by 1.75 in {45 mm) of armor. Forward of the bridge are the stepped pedestals for two SPG-55 missile guidance radars, a twin-rail Standard-ER SAM launcher on the 01 level, and, well forward, another twin-rail launcher on the main deck. Two more SPG-55s are mounted on stepped pedestals on the bridge roof.
Between the block bridge and the quadrapod lattice mainmast are the AS-ROC eight-cell box launcher and side-by-side 5-in (127-mm) single gun mounts; the 5-in guns addressed the embarrassing lack of close-in defense against small craft. As part of the major refit in the 1980s, Harpoon quad canister launcher groups to port and starboard of the mainmast and stepped Phalanx Gatling-type
Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) mounts were added aft.
DEVELOPMENT •
Long Beach was ordered from Bethlehem Steel’s Quincy, Massachusetts, yard in October 1956 and completed in September 1961. The Long Beach had been scheduled for a New Threat Upgrade beginning in FY1993, but this was later canceled. She was instead earmarked for retirement in FY1994.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 17,100 tons full load
DIMENSIONS
length 721 ft. 9 in (220.0m) overall
beam 73 ft 2 in (22.3 m)
draft 28 ft 10 in (8.8m)
MACHINERY 2 Westinghouse C1W pressurized-water, 4 General Electric steam turbines, approx 80,000 shp on 2 shafts=30+ kts, range approx
90,000 nm at 30 kts, 360,000 nm at 20
kts, electric power 17,000 kW
CREW 958
WEAPONS
8 Tomahawk land-attack in 2 quad ABL
8 Harpoon antiship missiles in 2 quad canisters
2 twin Mk 10 Mod 1/2 launchers for Terrier/Standard-ER SAM (120
missiles)
2 5-in (127-mm)/38-cal Mk 30 dual-purpose guns in single mounts 2 20-mm Mk 15 Phalanx Gatling-type
CIWS
6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo
tubes in 2 triple mounts
1 8-cell ASROC launcher HELICOPTER landing area
SENSORS
SPS-48C 3D air-search radar SPS-49 2D air-search radar
SPS-67 surface-search radar
4 Mk 76 missile fire control systems
with SPG-55B target-illumination
radars
2 Mk 56 gunfire control systems with
Mk 35 radar
LN-66 navigation radar
SQQ-23 PAIR keel-mounted sonar
SLQr32(V)3 active/passive EW system
Ticonderogcr (CG 47)
These 27 ships are the most complex and capable surface combatants the US Navy has deployed. In effect, they summarize US Navy developments in Antiair and Antisubmarine Warfare (AAW/ASW) over the past three decades. In addition to the Aegis air defense radar and command and control system, the design also features 122 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells (except in the first five ships, which have two twin-rail Surface-to-Air Missile/SAM launchers). A VLS ship can launch Standard SM-2 MR or ER SAM,Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles,and ASROC ASW missiles. Other weapons and sensors include a powerful bow sonar, Harpoon antiship missiles,two 5-in (127-mm) guns, two Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) III helicopters (SH-60B), and antisubmarine torpedo tubes.
All of these weapons are deployed in a hull and propulsion system derived from the Spruance (DD 963)-class destroyer design. Changes included a bow bulwark to reduce wetness forward and higher exhaust stacks. The superstructure has been enlarged to accommodate the Aegis/SPY-1 system, with two fixed phased-array radar antennas on the forward deckhouse facing forward and to starboard, and two on the after deckhouse, facing aft and to port. Internal changes include limited armor plating for the magazine and critical electronic spaces, increases in the ship’s three service generators from 2,000 kW to 2,500 kW, additional accommodations, and additional fuel tanks.
The size and duration of the Aegis cruiser program has resulted in the subdivision of the class into five blocks or “baselines,” representing points at which upgrades were introduced into new construction. Baseline 0 covered the first two ships. Baseline I (CG 49) introduced
LAMPS HI, improved SAMs, and betterdisplays. Baseline II (CG 52) has VLS, better sonars, Baseline III (CG 59) an improved (SPY-IB) radar and displays, and Baseline IV (CG 64) faster, more capable computers.
The LAMPS III ships have the Recovery Assist Secure and Traversing (RAST) helicopter-hauldown system, which improves capability to operate helicopters in rough seas.
DEVELOPMENT •
Begun as conventionally powered guided-missile destroyer counterparts (DDG 47) to a projected series of nuclear-powered strike cruisers, the Ticonderogas replaced the strike cruisers in force planning after costs spiraled unacceptably. Litton’s In-galls yard at Pascagoula, Mississippi, was the lead yard, winning the order in Sep-
CG52
U.S. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF DF.J-KNSK
tember 1978 and completing the ship in January 1983. Ingalls then built 18 more ships. Bath Iron Works completed its first ship (CG 51) in August 1987 and built seven more.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE •
First combat action for the class came in April 1986, when Yorktown (CG 48) fired two Harpoons at a Libyan missile boat, damaging or possibly sinking it. The Vincennes (CG 49) incurred notoriety in July 1988 when her crew mistook an Iranian airliner for a hostile combat aircraft and shot it down with Standard missiles, killing 290 passengers and crew.
At the start of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, seven VLS-equipped Ticonderogas launched Tomahawks against Iraqi targets. They were: Bunker Hill (28 missiles), Mobile Bay (22 with one failure), Leyte Gulf (2), San Antonio (14 with one failure), Philippine Sea (10), Princeton (3), and Normandy (26).
Princeton later struck a mine, which severely damaged her hull; nevertheless, the Navy claimed her AAW systems were back in service within hours.
In January 1993, Cowpens launched Tomahawks against an Iraqi nuclear research facility, and Chancellorsville fired nine TLAM (one more failed to launch) against Iraq’s military intelligence headquarters in June 1993.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 9,400-9,530 tons full load
DIMENSIONS
length 565 ft 10 in (172.5 m)
overall beam 55 ft (16.8 m)
draft 31 ft 6 in (9.6m)
MACHINERY 4 General Electric LM
2500 gas turbines, 80,000 shp on 2
shafts with controllable-pitch pro-pellers=30 + kts, range 6,000 nm at 20 kts, electric power 7,500 kW
CREW 364
WEAPONS
2 twin Mk 26 Mod 1 launchers for Standard SM-2 MR SAM, ASROC (88 missiles) in CG 47-51
2 61-cell Mk-41 VLS for Standard SAM, Tomahawk land-attack, and
Vertical-Launch ASROC (VLA) in
CG-52 and later ships 8 Harpoon antiship missiles in 2 quad canisters
2 5-in (127-mm)/54-cal Mk 45 dual-
purpose in single mounts 2 20-mm Mk 15 Phalanx Gatling-type
CIWS
6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo tubes in triple mounts (36 torpedoes)
HELICOPTERS 2 LAMPS I (SH-2F) in CG 47-48, 2 LAMPS III (SH-60B Sea-hawk) in CG 49 and later ships
SENSORS
4 Aegis multifunction phased-array (SPY-1A in CG 47-58, SPY-IB in CG 59-73)
SPS-49(V)6 2D air-search radar SPS-55 surface-search radar in CG 47-48
SPS-64 surface-search radar in CG 49-73
4 Mk 99 missile directors with SPG-62 radar
1 Mk 86 gunfire control system with
SPQ-9A radar
SQS-53A bow-mounted active sonar in
CG 47-55 SQQ~89(V)3 in CG 56-73 includes: SQS-53B in CG 56-68,
SQS-53C in CG 69-73 SQR-19 TACTAS towed-array sonar
SQQr28 Shipboard Sonar
Processing System for
LAMPS III
Sonar in Situ Mode Assessment System (SIMAS) with UYQ-25 data processing system SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy
Truxtun (CGN 35)
The Truxtun was the fourth nuclear-powered surface combatant built for the US Navy. Like the Long Beach (CGN 9) and Bainfmdge (DLGN 25, later CGN 25), Truxtun reflected an inability (for many reasons) to stabilize nuclear-propelled surface combatant design. She was a stopgap while development continued on the long-range Typhoon missile system, which used an early version of the Aegis radar; that program was later canceled.
Truxtunwas built to a modified Belknap (CGN 26)-class design with the gun and missile launcher positions reversed (gun forward, missiles aft) to accommodate the SQS-26 sonar in a bow dome. The ship’s distinctive appearance comes from four-legged lattice masts that faintly resemble the “cage” masts of early US battleships.
The Truxtun has a long-forecastle hull with raked bow, little sheer, forecastle break abaft the helicopter platform and abreast of the twin-rail Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher, and transom stern. Ahead of the superstructure is the single 5-in/54-cal Mk 42 gun mount and a low deckhouse. Above the bridge is the pedestal for the SPG-53 gunfire control radar.
The tall lattice foremast has a short pole topmast; the large planar-array antenna serves the AN/SPS-48E system. The lattice mainmast (equal in height to the foremast and also fitted with a pole topmast) is stepped into the after superstructure block; the truncated parabolic antenna is part of the AN/SPS-49 radar system. The Truxtun is also fitted with the Hughes Aircraft Naval Mast-Mounted Sight (NMMS) electro-optical surveillance system that has TV, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), and laser designator in a traversable ball.
Abaft the mainmast are the hangar and flight deck for the SH-2F Seasprite (LAMPS I) helicopter.
Harpoon missile canisters were em-placed in the positions originally occupied by two 3-in/50-cal AA single gun mounts. Two Phalanx Gatling-type Close-in Weapons Systems (CIWS) are forward of the bridge.
DEVELOPMENT •
Truxtun was built by
New York Ship and commissioned in 1967. She was decommissioned in FY1995.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 8,800 tons full load
DIMENSIONS
length 564 ft (172.0 m) overall
beam 58ft (17.7m)
draft 31 ft (9.5 m)
MACHINERY 2 General Electric D2G pressurized-water nuclear reactors, 2 steam turbines, approx 60,000 shp on 2 shafts =30+ kts, electric power 14,500 kW
CREW 591 (39 Off + 552 Enl)
WEAPONS
1 twin Mk 10 Mod 8 launcher for Terrier/Standard-ER SAM and
ASROC ASW missiles (60 missiles) 8 Harpoon antiship missiles in 2 quad canisters
1 5-inch (127-mm)/54-cal Mk 42 dual-
purpose gun
2 20-mm Mk 15 Phalanx Gatling-type
CIWS
4 fixed 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo tubes
HELICOPTER 1 LAMPS I (SH-2F) SENSORS
SPS48C 3D air-search radar SPS-49 2D air-search radar SPS-67 surface-search radar
2 Mk 76 missile fire control systems with 2 SPG-55B target-illumination radars
1 Mk 68 gunfire control system with
SPG-53F radar
SQS-26BX bow-mounted active sonar NMMS electro-optical surveillance system
SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system
Virginia (CGN 38)
These four nuclear-powered ships are based on the previous California (CGN 36)-class cruisers, but with the ASROC launcher deleted, Mk 26 twin-rail missile launchers, and provision for a helicopter hangar and elevator in the stern. They constituted the largest class of nuclear-propelled surface combatants, but are likely to be the last nuclear-propelled surface ships (other than aircraft carriers) to be built by the US Navy.
As in the Californias, the flush-deck design has a split superstructure set relatively far aft with each block topped by a tapered, plated mast. As originally built, the ships had a stern hangar with a folding hatch cover and elevator arrangement to accommodate a single SH-2F LAMPS (Light Airborne Multipurpose System) helicopter.
After encountering problems with the elevators, and in keeping the hangars watertight, the Navy deleted the helicopters in the early 1980s in favor of two Tomahawk Armored Box Launchers (ABL) on the fantail, aft of the second Mk 26 launcher. Earlier proposals to provide a Vertical Launch System (VLS) for Tomahawk missiles in place of the hangar were dropped. Side-by-side Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) mounts were added abaft the tower foremast during refits.
DEVELOPMENT •
CGN 38-40 were originally classified as “frigates” (DLGN 38-40); they were changed to cruisers on June 30, 1975. The Arkansas was ordered as CGN 41. All were built at Newport News Shipbuilding and entered service from 1976 to 1980. Virginia and Texas were the first to decommission in 1994, less than 20 years after they entered service.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE •
The Virginia and Mississippi were deployed to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia in late 1990 as part of Operation Desert Shield.
The Virginia launched two Tomahawks at Iraqi targets from the Mediterranean. The Mississippi operated with the John F. Kennedy’s (CV 67) task force from September 14, 1990 to March 13, 1991.
The Texas arrived in the Persian Gulf with the Nimitz (CVN 68) in June 1991, replacing the Tripoli (LPH 10) as flagship of the multinational mine counter-measures task force that swept the northern Persian Gulf after the cease-fire.
SPECIFICATIONS •
DISPLACEMENT 11,300 tons full load DIMENSIONS
length 585 ft (178.4 m) overall beam 63ft (19.2m)
draft 29 ft 6 in (9.0 m)
MACHINERY 2 General Electric D2G pressurized-water reactors, 2 steam turbines, 60,000 shaft hp on 2 shafts=30+ knots
CREW 562-613
WEAPONS
2 twin Mk 26 Mod 0/1 launchers for RIM-66D/J Standard SM-2 MR SAM (68 missiles)
8 Tomahawk TASM/TLAM (2 quad
ABL Mk 143) 8 Harpoon SSM (2 quad canisters Mk
141)
2 single 5-in (127-mm)/54-cal Mk 45
dual-purpose
2 20-mm Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx Gatling-type CIWS
ASROC ASW missiles fired from forward Mk 26 launcher
6 12.75-in (324-mm) Mk 32 torpedo
tubes in triple mounts
SENSORS
SPS-48 3D air-search radar
SPS-49 2D air-search radar SPS-55 surface-search radar 4 SPG-51D missile control radars Mk 86 gunfire control system with
SPG-60 and SPQ-9 radars SQS-53 series bow-mounted active sonar
SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive EW system Naval Mast-Mounted Sight (NMMS)
electro-optical surveillance system
in Arkansas
