It can be guessed that since they were too close in design to the still very active Tico class cruisers, they were too sensitive to give away as military aid to the likes of Pakistan, Mexico, or Colombia. Went through GITMO reftra, Oct, 1985 and then on to the med cruise 1986. Several of those that werent converted to VLS were given quadruple ABL Mark 43 Tomahawk missile launchers like on the recommissioned Iowa class battleships. The OHPs were never meant to be multi-warfare DD replacements. USS Fletcher DD-992 82-84 EN1 A-Div LPODamn Fine Ship. Some 24 ships of the class swapped out their ASROC launcher for a 61-cell Too many to respond to. The Ticonderoga was basically a late 1960s designed Spruance class in the hull with Aegis and other superstructure designed https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI worked on these boats in 1975, I find it hard to believe that they were decommissioned already!! We attended a reunion in S.Diego a couple of years ago. The unnamed class is an evolutionary design that draws upon the current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; it'll replace both older Burkes and larger Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers. Served on Elliot 967 from July 76 till 79. I remember one of the Key Selling points to Congress at the time was the Ships modular design. I will approve you. The Navys planned next-generation destroyer, dubbed theDDG(X)program, is slated to replace the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. Mark Episkopos is a national security reporter for theNational Interest. Moreover, the class had an enormous RF reflectivity, making them huge targets. She was considered Head and antlers above the rest. We also had a major gunfire casualty due to a coke can being disposed inside of our fire control computer. DDG(X) stems from a Navy requirement for a "large surface combatant," which is a destroyer or cruiser-sized vessel of 10,000 tons or more. Sure was ashame to see her sunk! Off to research this one for myself. Though it has yet to release the full version of its bill, the Committeesaidin a summary that its budget prohibits the early retirement of naval vessels unless the Secretary of the Navy makes certain certifications to Congress. It remains to be seen whether or not this prohibition extends to all seven of the cruisers that the Navy wants decommissioned this upcoming fiscal year. One might say that the data processing and networking capabilities of the SPRUANCE class were like 9600 baud dial-up systems trying to keep up with broadband cable. The CG 26 class CGs were also decommissioned way too soon for budgetary reasons. GSCS(SW) Ret DD963 79 83. Old ships simply dont have as many fans as new ones, and their billion dollar contracts, divided among 20 states or so. It made a big impression on me. This is a total of 239 surface warships capable of blue water operations. Saw Regec, though. A-gang. Compared to the rest of the Navy, Americas big surface ship fleet has avoided substantial cuts for a long time. Online there are pictures of her being broken in Brownsville, TXVery very sad. The first thing I thought, perhaps horribly, was that I hoped she wasnt alive to have seen it. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A bit of a story first, Capt., then a thought about what you wrote. The skipper reminded the Navy Dept. I was on the John Rodgers. That is,if it is allowed to retire all of the cruisers that it wants in the timeframe that it seeks. The House Armed Services Committees Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee iteration of the annual defense policy bill lays the groundwork for the retirement of several cruisers while giving the green light for the construction of an additional destroyer, as first reported by USNI News. Do I understand correctly that they essentially turned these DDs into DDGs, but without renaming them? someplace, too. Second ship was USS John Hancock DD-981 October 1987- November 1991 Made one MEF cruise and a North Atlantic cruise, Served as Senior Enlisted Engineering Programs Manager. DD-974 Plankowner. Amazing experience!! Vice-Chair and former Navy officer Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) argued that downsizing the cruiser fleet could carry dire consequences for the Navys near-term capabilities in the Pacific, especially in the midst of mounting Chinesethreats and provocationsagainstTaiwan. The Spruances, unlike the Burkes, was dedicated to ASW, ASuW, and land strike with both naval gunfire and cruise missiles. When she did trials out of Long Beach, I was there. USS Spruance (DD-963) ships propulsion control center, during her trials period, May 1975. DD 974 will forever live in my heart Sans Precedent ! The end of service life for them was being discussed in NAVSEA back in the early 90s shortly before I retired. Controversially, the House mark does not prevent the Navy from retiring a slew of aging Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers. I was also CO of USS RENTZ (FFG 46) and USS HORNE (CG 30), both great ships. What a waste!!! Though it has yet to release the full version of its bill, the Committeesaidin a summary that its budget prohibits the early retirement of naval vessels unless the Secretary of the Navy makes certain certifications to Congress. It remains to be seen whether or not this prohibition extends to all seven of the cruisers that the Navy wants decommissioned this upcoming fiscal year. The Burke also has a hull-form designed for better sea-keeping. [CDATA[// >