For many years, the Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser was the most powerful surface ship in the world. “But they served too long. Not only did the Navy fail to replace the Ticos, but costly efforts to extend the 9,800-ton ship’s planned 35-year service life also failed. “The Telegraph said.
As mentioned earlier, aging warships in which billions of dollars have been invested are being retired at a time when the United States needs more warships, not fewer.
“Given their importance, one would think the Navy would prioritize cruiser replacements, especially given that designing and building a new class of warships can take decades. However, historical fleet guidance “Those who have used this method have gone through trial and error,” the newspaper said.
Work is ongoing, but the ships could not be deployed until around 2030 at the earliest. As the Telegraph points out, by then the last Ticonderoga will be gone. The last three cruisers are scheduled to be retired in 2029 (by which time the oldest cruiser will be 39 years old).
Very expensive modernization. “It’s a disaster for the U.S. Navy.”
There are currently nine cruisers in service with the Navy. “Keeping the cruisers sailing years after their original retirement date will cost $3.7 billion, equivalent to the cost of two new destroyers,” the portal reports.
The decision to “extend the life of the ship” was taken in 2015. The modernization was scheduled to cover seven cruisers, but in the end only three were affected. “The Navy spent $1.8 billion on work on four ships before they were finally withdrawn anyway,” the paper said.
“The cruiser modernization project has undoubtedly been a disaster for the U.S. Navy,” the report said.
As mentioned earlier, failed modernization and unsuccessful attempts to develop new classes of cruisers have led to the fact that the Chinese Navy is currently larger than the American Navy and has a much younger number of ships.
The United States is trying to fill that gap, with new cruisers, guided-missile frigates, and amphibious ships expected to be ready within the next decade (albeit with significant delays).
Jewel of the U.S. Navy: Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser
The Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser has been in service with the U.S. Navy since 1986. These were intended to complement nuclear attack cruisers. A total of 27 units were manufactured.
Thanks to the integrated Aegis detection, guidance and fire control system, the ship provides 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: Telegraph, Geek Week
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