Belknap-class cruiser

Belknap-class cruiser. The Belknap-class was a class of guided-missile cruisers built for the United States Navy during the Cold War. Originally designated as DLG (destroyer leader, guided missile), they were reclassified as guided-missile cruisers (CG) in 1975. These ships served as integral components of carrier strike groups, providing area air defense and command facilities for embarked flag officers.

Design and description

The design evolved from the preceding Leahy-class cruiser, with a primary focus on enhancing command and control capabilities. A key visual distinction was the integration of the superstructure and the ship's single Mark 42 5-inch/54 caliber gun mount forward, unlike the separate gun mounts on the Leahy class. The class was built around the AN/SPG-55 fire control radar and the RIM-2 Terrier missile system, later upgraded to the RIM-67 Standard ER. Propulsion was provided by four 1,200 psi Babcock & Wilcox boilers powering two General Electric steam turbines, driving two shafts for a top speed of over 30 knots. The AN/SQS-26 sonar and an ASROC launcher provided a limited anti-submarine warfare capability. The design featured extensive spaces for a Flag Officer and his staff, solidifying the role as a fleet flagship.

Construction and career

Construction of the nine ships spanned from 1962 to 1967, with builders including Bath Iron Works, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The lead ship, , was commissioned in 1964. The class served extensively in the Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, with deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Western Pacific. Their careers were defined by Cold War patrols, showing the flag, and participating in major exercises like Ocean Safari. Several ships, including , served as the Sixth Fleet flagship based in Gaeta, Italy. The class was gradually retired following the end of the Cold War, with the last, , decommissioning in 1995.

Ships in class

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Name !! Hull Number !! Builder !! Commissioned !! Decommissioned !! Fate |- | || CG-26 || Bath Iron Works || 1964 || 1995 || Sunk as target, 1998 |- | || CG-27 || Bath Iron Works || 1965 || 1994 || Sunk as target, 2003 |- | || CG-28 || Bath Iron Works || 1966 || 1993 || Sunk as target, 2002 |- | || CG-29 || Puget Sound Naval Shipyard || 1966 || 1994 || Sunk as target, 2007 |- | || CG-30 || San Francisco Naval Shipyard || 1967 || 1994 || Scrapped, 2008 |- | || CG-31 || Puget Sound Naval Shipyard || 1967 || 1994 || Sunk as target, 2005 |- | || CG-32 || Bath Iron Works || 1966 || 1994 || Scrapped, 2005 |- | || CG-33 || Todd Pacific Shipyards || 1966 || 1994 || Scrapped, 2006 |- | || CG-34 || Bath Iron Works || 1967 || 1995 || Scrapped, 2001 |}

Modernization and upgrades

The class underwent a significant modernization program in the late 1970s and 1980s known as the New Threat Upgrade (NTU). This program replaced the original AN/SPG-55 radars with modern AN/SPQ-9 and AN/SPG-60 systems and installed the AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite. The missile system was upgraded to fire the RIM-67 Standard SM-2ER, greatly improving anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile defense capabilities. The Command and control spaces were also improved with new Link 11 datalinks and communications systems. Following a severe collision and fire with the aircraft carrier in 1975, was completely rebuilt, emerging with a modified superstructure and updated systems, setting a pattern for later NTU refits.

Operational history

The operational history of the class was marked by Cold War confrontations and post-Cold War crises. Ships like participated in the Gulf of Sidra incident in 1981 and the Gulf of Sidra incident (1989). was involved in the Achille Lauro hijacking aftermath in 1985. During Operation Desert Storm, and (a similar Leahy-class cruiser) launched BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Iraq. The class also played roles in the Iran–Iraq War, conducting escort duties during the Tanker War. Their service concluded with the drawdown of the United States Navy surface fleet in the early 1990s, with most units being decommissioned and later used as targets in SINKEX exercises or sold for scrap.

Category:Cruiser classes Category:Guided missile cruisers of the United States Navy Category:Cold War cruisers of the United States