Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers for years they were the most powerful surface ships in the world. “But they have served too long. The Navy not only failed to replace the Ticos – but also bungled a costly effort to extend the planned 35-year life of the 9,800-ton vessels.
As noted, aging ships, in which billions of dollars have been invested, they are being withdrawn at a time when the US needs more warships, not fewer.
“Given their importance, you'd think the Navy would prioritize cruiser replacements, especially considering it can take decades to design and build a new class of warship. But successive generations of fleet leaders have repeatedly tried and failed,” it said. .
Work is ongoing, but the ships can be deployed around 2030 at the earliest. Then, as The Telegraph points out, the last Ticonderoga will already be gone. The last three cruisers are scheduled to be retired in 2029 (the oldest will be 39 years old by then).
Extremely expensive modernization. “A disaster for the US Navy”
It is currently in naval service nine cruisers. “Keeping cruisers afloat several years past their original decommissioning dates will cost $3.7 billion – as much as the cost of two new destroyers“- says the portal.
The decision to “extend the life of the ships” was made in 2015. The modernization was supposed to cover seven cruisers, but ultimately it affected only three. “The Navy spent $1.8 billion on work on four ships before ultimately retiring them anyway.” – marked.
“The cruiser modernization project was without a doubt a disaster for the US Navy” – rated.
As noted, unsuccessful modernization as well as unsuccessful attempts to develop a new class of cruisers led to the Currently, the Chinese navy is larger than the American one and has much younger ships.
Even though the US is trying to fill the gaps, it only in the next decade new cruisers, guided missile frigates and landing ships are expected to be completed (with significant delays).
The jewel of the US Navy: Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers
Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers they serve in the navy United States since 1986. They were intended to complement nuclear-powered strike cruisers. A total of 27 units were built.
The ships are equipped with the integrated Aegis detection, guidance and fire control system provide anti-aircraft, anti-missile and underwater protection. One of their first missions was to ensure the safety of navigation in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
Source: The Telegraph, GeekWeek