Of all the ships in the US Navy inventory, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser (CG) is one of its most recognizable surface combatants and has been serving the branch since the 80s. Ships under the class primarily perform multi-mission roles, including air warfare, undersea warfare, naval surface fire support, and surface warfare, capable of supporting carrier battle groups, amphibious forces, or even carrying out independent operations, among many others.

Nicknamed the “Aegis Cruiser,” Ticonderoga-class warships are equipped with the sophisticated Aegis Combat Management System capable of scanning, tracking, and guiding missiles for threats and intercept. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding (now part of HII) and Bath Iron Works (a subsidiary of General Dynamics) for the US Navy beginning in 1980 with the lead ship Ticonderoga (CG-47) until 1994 with Port Royal (CG-73) as the last battle cruiser delivered. It preceded the four nuclear-powered Virginia-class (CGN-38) guided-missile cruisers that served the Navy until the mid-to-late 1990s. Since its commissioning, the warships under the class have served significant campaigns in the 1990s and conducted various operations across the globe well into the 21st century.

Initially, the Ticonderoga-class cruisers were set to become guided-missile destroyers (DDGs). However, they were reclassified as CGs shortly after the keels for Ticonderoga (CG-47) and Yorktown (CG-48) were laid down due to the cutting-end technology features added.

As of writing, 17 ships remain active, with the rest of the warships to be progressively decommissioned from service. It is expected that a new fleet will be developed under the Navy’s DDG(X) program will succeed it, equipped with newer, more advanced technologies, with construction beginning in the late 2020s to early 2030s.

General Specifications and Armaments

Since the launching of its lead ship, USS Ticonderoga (CG-47), the class has had 27 cruisers, 19 of which were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding and eight by Bath Iron Works. Most of the ships’ namesakes were patterned after important events in US military history, except for Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), with at least twelve sharing their names with World War II-era aircraft carriers.

The cruiser was based on the 1970s Spruance-class destroyer but with an expanded displacement of about 9,600 tons (9,754.06 metric tons) when full load. It measures approximately 567 feet in length and has a beam of 55 feet. It is powered by four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines plus two shafts with controllable-pitch propellers generating up to 86,000 horsepower and providing a maximum speed of over 30+ knots. In addition, it can steam at least within a 6,000 miles (11,000 km) range at an economical speed of 20 knots.

The complement of each Ticonderoga-class cruiser is around 330 crew, including 30 officers and 300 enlisted personnel. Meanwhile, the ship’s deck can support at least two Sikorsky SH-60B or MH-60R Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters.

The ship is well-equipped and armed with one of the world’s most sophisticated armaments and systems. As mentioned, the Ticonderoga-class cruisers have all been fitted with the Aegis combat system, including its four subsystems: the AN/SPY-1 multifunction radar, the command and decision system (CDS), Aegis display system (ADS), and the weapon control system (WCS). This has been slowly integrated into the missile cruisers in the mid-2000s, starting with USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of the modernization program. By 2018, all the Ticonderoga cruisers had the combat system.