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.
The first five Ticonderoga-class cruisers were fitted with the conventional Mark 26 twin-arm missile launcher variant. At the same time, the rest carried the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which will be upgraded into the new Lockheed Martin AN/ALQ-70 system capable of launching Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM).
It uses Lockheed Martin Vertical Launch ASROC for its torpedoes, loading mk50 or mk46, which also launched via mk41 VLS. Furthermore, it mounted a triple 324mm-tube torpedo launcher capable of firing the mk46 mod five and mk50 torpedo. The mk46 anti-submarine torpedo has a range of 10km, while the mk50 has a range of 15km.
On the other hand, the ship is outfitted with two mk45 127mm/54 main guns capable of firing 32kg shells at a target range of 22km at a maximum firing rate of 20 rounds per minute. For countermeasures, each uses the AN/SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy and six to eight mk36 six-barrel launchers, which fire infrared decoys and chaff. Meanwhile, the Raytheon AN/SLQ-32 serves as the ship’s electronic support measures and countermeasures system, and Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1 as the ship’s phased array air search and fire control radar. The equipped Lockheed Martin AN/SQQ-89 sonar in the cruisers integrates hull-mounted active search and attack sonar and passive towed array.
Mark 26 Twin-arm Missile Launcher
Its lead ship, USS Ticonderoga (CG-47), was first launched in April 1981 and entered service in January 1983, serving over 21 years before its decommissioning in September 2004. USS Yorktown (CG-48), USS Vincennes (CG-49), USS Valley Forge (CG-50), and USS Thomas S Gates (CG-51) followed shortly after in commissioning and decommissioning, respectively, serving the Navy between 18-20 years.
Mark 41 VLS
Of the 22 Ticonderoga class cruisers succeeding Thomas S. Gates, only 17 ships remain operational, with USS Monterey (CG-61), USS Hué City (CG-66), USS Anzio (CG-68), USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), and USS Port Royal (CG-73) were decommissioned after nearly 30+ years of service and sent to Reserve Fleet in 2022.
However, with the next-generation program underway, the remaining vessels have already been requested for retirement, as stated in the Fiscal Year 2023 plan, with the last Ticonderoga cruiser scheduled to be decommissioned in 2027.
Of the remaining operational ships, 11 are in the US Navy Atlantic Fleet, and six are in the Pacific Fleet, with two cruisers based in Japan in the US Naval Forces Base at Yokosuka.
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52)
Determination – Deterrence
Bunker Hill cruiser is named after and honors the Battle of Bunker Hill, which took place in Massachusetts in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, the cruiser had its keel laid won on January 1984 and launched on March 1985. It is the sixth vessel of her class and the first cruiser outfitted with the Mk 41 VLS. Among its noteworthy service is its participation in the Gulf War, patrolling in the Persian Gulf to prevent piracy, supporting Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and later being forward deployed to Japan during the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
Commissioned: September 1986
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service | Pacific Fleet
Proposed Retirement: 2023
USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)
Full Speed Ahead
Named after and in honor of the Battle of Mobile Bay, the warship is the seventh of her class to enter service built by Ingalls Shipbuilding on June 1983 and launched on August 1985. It earned its first two military awards while participating in operations conducted in the Gulf of Oman. Like the CG-52, it participated in and supported combat efforts during Operation Desert Shield and Storm. In the early 1990s, it became the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the globe before shifting homeports from Florida to Japan. It returned to the United States ten years later and was refurbished, becoming one of the Navy’s first Smart ships.
Commissioned: February 1987
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2023
USS Antietam (CG-54)
Power To Prevail
The third ship named after the pivotal Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg to Southerners) during the American Civil War, USS Antietam (CG 54), had her keel laid out by Ingalls Shipbuilding on November 1984 and launched to sea on February 1986. After entering service, its first deployment was to escort Kuwait tankers en route to the Arabian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will in mid-1988. It also participated in the earlier part of Operation Desert Shield.
Commissioned: June 1987
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2024
USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55)
Arrayed For Victory
Ingalls Shipbuilding laid the keel of USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) on March 1985 and launched on June 1986, with its name honoring the Battle of Leyte Gulf that took place during the Second World War—arguably the most extensive naval warfare in history. Similar to the preceding Ticonderoga-class cruisers, CG-55 supported combat efforts during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Arabian Gulf and Operation Provide Comfort in the Adriatic Sea in the early 1990s. It was also used in support of Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior when deployed to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in 1994.
Commissioned: September 1987
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2024
USS San Jacinto (CG-56)
Victory Is Certain
The USS San Jacinto (CG 56) was named after and in honor of the Battle of San Jacinto, which occurred during the Texas Revolution in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Its keel was laid down in July 1985 by Ingalls Shipbuilding and launched to sea in November 1986. Among its significant deployments was the 1989 Mediterranean deployment, during which she provided strike warfare capability, and Operation Desert Shield in 1990, as part of the Red Sea Battle Force Air Warfare Commander.
Commissioned: January 1988
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2023
USS Lake Champlain (CG-57)
Ingenuity – Daring – Discipline
The 11th cruiser of her class to be built and enter service, USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) is the third USN ship to bear the namesake in honor of the Battle of Lake Champlain, which took place during the War of 1812. Its keel was laid down on March 1986 by Ingalls Shipbuilding and launched on April 1987 before joining the Pacific Fleet, homeported at San Diego, California. Its notable deployments include the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean in 2000, international navy exercises, and Maritime Interception Operations in the North Arabian Gulf alongside Navy Seals. The missile cruiser was involved in an explosion incident in 2007 and a collision accident in 2017, both of which it recovered from.
Commissioned: August 1988
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2023
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58)
Eternal Vigilance
Named after the Battle of the Philippine Sea that took place in World War II and is the second USN ship to carry the name, the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) has completed multiple deployments since being commissioned to service in 1989, including Operation Enduring Freedom. Bath Iron Works built the missile cruiser with its keel laid down on May 1986 and launched it a year later. In 2012, the CG-58 transported the cremated remains of Neil Armstrong, the commander of Apollo 11 and the first man on the moon, to his final resting place in the Atlantic Ocean.
Commissioned: March 1989
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2025
USS Princeton (CG-59)
Honor And Glory
USS Princeton (CG 59) is the 13th cruiser in her class that was named after and in honor of the Battle of Princeton during the American Revolutionary War in 1777, led by George Washington. Ingalls Shipbuilding built the ship beginning October 1986 and launched it a year later. It was the first Ticonderoga-class cruiser to carry the upgraded AN/SPY-1B radar system. In 1991, amid Operation Desert Storm, Princeton hit two influence mines resulting in a damaged superstructure, a jammed port rudder, and a leaking port shaft seal. Nevertheless, it recovered and earned a Combat Action Ribbon alongside its crew.
Commissioned: February 1989
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2026
USS Normandy (CG-60)
Vanguard Of Victory
Laid down on Dec. 9, 1989, USS Normandy (CG 60) is the 14th cruiser of the Ticonderoga class named in honor of the World War II Battle of Normandy. It is the third ship built by Bath Iron Works and was launched on March 1988 with its assigned homeport in Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly after entering service, Normandy joined multinational efforts to free Kuwait in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and among the supporting fleet during Operation Enduring Freedom in the early 2000s. As a result of her participation in the Gulf War, she became the first US warship to see combat on her maiden voyage since 1945
Commissioned: December 1989
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2025
USS Monterey (CG-61)
Rough In Battle – Ready In Peace
The USS Monterey (CG 61), commissioned in the early 1990s, is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name Monterey to commemorate the Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War in 1846. She was built by Bath Iron Works in August 1987, launched in October 1988, and served over 32 years before its decommissioning was held in September 2022. Throughout her naval career, the cruiser executed about 14 deployments and had been modified several times to remain relevant.
Commissioned: June 1990
Homeport: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status: Decommissioned, Sent to reserved on September 2022
USS Chancellorsville (CG-62)
Press On
Named in commemoration of the Battle of Chancellorsville of the American Civil War, this 16th Ticonderoga-class cruiser had its keel laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding on June 1987, launched on July 1988, and commissioned to service in November 1989 as part of Carrier Strike Group 7 until 2011 before transferring to Carrier Strike Group 5. Her maiden deployment included participation in the Persian Gulf War, supporting the fleet under Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
Commissioned: November 1989
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2026
USS Cowpens (CG-63)
Victoria Libertatis Vindex (“Victory Vindicates Liberty”)
The 17th Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Cowpens (CG 63), carries the name in honor of the Battle of Cowpens of the American Revolution. Bath Iron Works built her with its keel laid down on December 1987 and launched nearly two years after. Some of its significant deployments include the Arabian Gulf as part of the Kitty Hawk Task Group in 1996, succeeding USS Mobile Bay in the Naval Forces of Seventh Fleet in 2000, participation in Operation Enduring Freedom, and several other bilateral and multilateral exercises, to name a few. In 2015, she underwent a modernization overhaul to extend serviceable life well into the 2040s.
Commissioned: March 1991
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2026
USS Gettysburg (CG-64)
Deeds, Not Words
USS Gettysburg (CG 64) is the third USN ship named after and in honor of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. She was constructed by Bath Iron Works in August 1988, launched in July 1989, and commissioned as one of the six vessels ordered by President Bill Clinton to be deployed in support of Operation Support Democracy in 1993, along with her sister ship USS Leyte Gulf. Other deployments include participation in the 1994 Baltic Operations exercise, Operation Desert Strike, Operation Desert Fox, and Operation Deliberate Forge, among many others.
Commissioned: June 1991
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2026
USS Chosin (CG-65)
Invictus (“Invincible Or Unconquered”)
The USS Chosin (CG 65) is named after the Korean War battle of Chosin Reservoir. Ingalls Shipbuilding began construction in August 1987, with the keel laid in July 1988 and the ship launched in September 1989 before serving in the Pacific Fleet. The 19th Ticonderoga-class cruiser participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Commissioned: January 1991
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2027
USS Hue City (CG-66)
Fidelity – Courage – Honor
Before her decommissioning last September, the USS Hué City (CG 66) served the US Navy for over 30 years, beginning with her maiden deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as Air Warfare Commander for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) battle group in 1993. Hué City was the 14th cruiser built by Ingalls Shipbuilding and the only USN ship to bear the name in commemoration of the Battle of Hué of the Vietnam War. Throughout its naval career, the cruiser completed multiple deployments, supported several exercises, and provided significant humanitarian assistance, including off the coast of New York, in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Commissioned: September 1991
Homeport: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status: Decommissioned, Sent to reserved on September 2022
USS Shiloh (CG-67)
Dignity – Determination – Honor
USS Shiloh (CG 67), named after the Battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War, had her keel laid down on August 1989 and launched on September 1990 after Bath Iron Works completed her construction. During Operation Desert Strike in the 1990s, the cruiser launched at least six Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of the effort to assert a no-fly zone against Iraqi attack during her time as part of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group. Throughout the late 1990s and into the 2000s, she participated in several missions as part of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group and numerous humanitarian efforts, most notably the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami.
Commissioned: July 1992
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2024
USS Anzio (CG-68)
Stand And Fight
The USS Anzio (CG 68) is the 22nd cruiser of her class and the 15th built by Ingalls Shipbuilding. She was laid down in August 1989 and launched in November 1990. After serving in the Navy for 30 years, she was decommissioned last September, completing numerous critical deployments throughout her naval career. The Ticonderoga class is the second USN ship to be named in commemoration of the Battle of Anzio, a necessary beachhead invasion of Italy by Allied troops during World War II.
Commissioned: May 1992
Homeport: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status: Decommissioned, Sent to reserved on September 2022
USS Vicksburg (CG-69)
Key To Victory
Initially, USS Vicksburg (CG 69) was set to be named Port Royal; however, renamed to Vicksburg amid her construction in honor of the Battle of Vickburg of the American Civil War. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, the cruiser had her keel laid down on May 1990 and launched in September the following year. She joined the USS Saratoga (CV-60) joint task group in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, operating as an airspace deconfliction and command and control platform during her maiden deployment.
Commissioned: November 1992
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2023
USS Lake Erie (CG-70)
Courage – Determination – Peace
Bath Iron Works laid down the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) in March 1990, launched it in July 1991, and received deployment to Pearl Harbor a year later—the first Navy ship to be commissioned to Hawaii. She was named in honor of the Battle of Lake Erie of the War of 1812. The 24th Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser was initially part of the Constellation (CV-64) battle group and spent most of her first month patrolling in the Western Pacific before joining the Gulf War by January 1995. She provided significant support and completed several deployments, including participating in several naval exercises and live fire tests of new weapon systems.
Commissioned: May 1993
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2027
USS Cape St. George (CG-71)
Always Victorious
USS Cape St. George (CG 71), named after the Battle of Cape St. George of World War II, is the 25th cruiser of her class. Ingalls Shipbuilding laid her keel on November 1990 and launched on January 1992, with her first deployment participating in Operations Sharp Guard and Deny Flight during the United Nations sanction over Bosnia. She also supported multiple complex naval exercises and was the first responder in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Currently homeported in San Diego, Cape St. George reports to the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific.
Commissioned: June 1993
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Proposed Retirement: 2027
USS Vella Gulf (CG-72)
Move Swiftly – Strike Vigorously
The second USN ship to bear the name in honor of the Battle of Vella Gulf during World War II, the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), was laid down on April 1991 by Ingalls Shipbuilding and launched on June 1992. Nearly 29 years later, she was decommissioned last August. Nevertheless, she played an integral part in America’s national defense strategy.
Commissioned: September 1993
Homeport: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status: Decommissioned, Sent to reserved on August 2022
USS Port Royal (CG-73)
The Will To Win
The 27th and final Ticonderoga-class cruiser to serve the USN, the USS Port Royal (CG 73), was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, laying down her keel on October 1991 and launched to sea on November 1992. She is the second Navy ship to be named after the two naval battles of Port Royal Sound, one in the American Revolutionary War and the other during the Civil War, and one of the only two vessels to first received Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) system modifications in addition to SM2 Block IV-A missiles. Over 28 years later, the cruiser was decommissioned from service held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. She conducted several critical deployments throughout her naval career and was the first Navy cruiser to integrate women into the crew.
Commissioned: July 1994
Homeport: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status: Decommissioned, Sent to reserved on September 2022
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Ticonderoga Class Aegis Guided-Missile Cruisers. (2020, Jul. 1). Naval Technology. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2023, from https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ticonderoga-class/
Ticonderoga Class Cruiser – CG. (n.d.). Military.com. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2023, from https://www.military.com/equipment/ticonderoga-class-cruiser-cg
Ticonderoga class Guided Missile Cruiser CG US Navy USS. (n.d.). Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser CG US Navy USS. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2023, from https://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cg/Ticonderoga-class.htm
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