Seen as a platform for anti-aircraft missile system An area air defense Aegis at minimal cost to build in large numbers, the Ticonderoga class is based on the hull of the popular Spruance class destroyer. Initial plans were to build 30 units, but then this figure was reduced to 27. The hull and engine layout are similar to the base Spruance class, but the larger displacement led to a noticeable decrease in speed. In this regard, there was some criticism regarding the maximum displacement of the ship, but tests of the lead ship Ticonderoga (CG47) in 1983 showed that its stability was sufficient.
The basis of the ship is the Aegis computerized area air defense system, which has a SPY-1A radar station with two pairs of phased array antennas, capable of both controlling its aircraft and simultaneously providing surveillance, detection and tracking of targets throughout the upper hemisphere above and around ship. The missiles used - "Standard" SM2-ER on two Mk 26 launchers are considered an effective means of countering massive attacks by highly maneuverable aircraft interacting with high-altitude and low-altitude anti-ship missiles launched both from the surface and from under water, in conditions of intense electronic warfare. From the sixth ship, two Mk 26 launchers and their ammunition magazines will be replaced by two Mk 41 vertical launchers, designed to carry 122 Tomahawk, Harpoon, Standard SM2-ER missiles and anti-submarine missiles instead of 104 missiles, which carried the first ships. The last ship in the class, Shiloh, was commissioned in 1994. Princeton was severely damaged by an Iraqi mine during the Gulf War in 1991.
Performance characteristics of the cruiser Ticonderoga
- Displacement, t: full 9600;
- Dimensions, m: length 172.8; width 16.8; draft 9.5;
- Main power plant: four gas turbine installations LM 2500 from General Electric, operating on two shafts, power, hp. With. (kW): 80,000 (59,655);
- Travel speed, knots: 30;
- Airplane: two multi-purpose SH-2D Seasprite or SH-60B Seahawk helicopters;
- Weapons: two eight-round launchers with 16 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two twin launchers for the Standard SM2-ER anti-aircraft guided missile and ASROC anti-submarine missiles (ammunition load of 68 missiles and 20 missiles, respectively), two single-barreled 127-mm artillery mounts, two 20 -mm anti-aircraft artillery self-defense complex "Phalanx", two three-tube torpedo tubes Mk 32 of 324 mm caliber with ammunition of 14 Mk46 torpedoes;
- Electronics: two SPY-1A Aegis integrated phased array antennas, SPS-49 air target detection radar, SPS-10 surface (ground) target detection radar, SPQ-9A fire control system, four SPG-62 fire control radars for the Standard anti-aircraft guided missile, one set of SLQ-32 radio reconnaissance equipment, four Mk 36 Super RBOC launchers for setting dipole reflectors, NAVSAT satellite navigation system, one SQS-23 sonar station, SQR-19 sonar station with a towed antenna array, satellite system SATCOMM communications;
- Crew, persons: 360.
For a comparative assessment of the missile cruiser "Moscow", one could take the Orly Burke-class guided missile destroyer, but this is still a ship of a different class, although similar in terms of armament and displacement.
Simple mapping tactical and technical characteristics samples of weapons gives little. The reasons are simple: each state creates weapons in accordance with requirements that are determined primarily by the content of military threats, the chosen methods and means of neutralizing them, the general level of industry, and the specific features of military-technical schools. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of combat use of the compared samples and the nature of the tasks they solve. Strictly speaking, it is necessary to compare not the performance characteristics, but the combat capabilities arising from them. To do this, it is necessary to follow a certain analysis technique.
“In a head-on battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach salvo range.”
First of all, the correct selection of candidates for comparison is important. The foreign analogue must belong to the same class as the Russian model. It is advisable that they be from approximately the same generation of military equipment. Although this requirement is not mandatory, since often new weapons systems, while winning in one area, lose to their predecessors in another. As a result, in specific conditions, when solving specific problems, a more modern model may turn out to be less effective.
The correct conditions of comparison are also important, that is, in what conflict, against what enemy, in what ways are the compared samples used. One-on-one action is often considered. However, there are examples of military equipment that do not involve direct confrontation. An example is anti-submarine aircraft - they simply have nothing to fight with each other. If the effectiveness of the compared samples is asymmetrical under the conditions of combat use, it is necessary to consider various options taking into account the expected probability of their implementation.
Only after this work does it make sense to move on to analyzing the tactical and technical characteristics. In this case, it is necessary to focus on those data that are significant in relation to the selected combat missions and situational conditions. On this basis, estimates of expected effectiveness can be made, including in a one-on-one setting. The calculation is made for each compared sample for all combat missions under consideration and for possible variants of application conditions. Next, the integral efficiency indicator is calculated. It summarizes the results of solving all typical combat missions in predicted scenarios. This is already a more or less objective characteristic of the compared tactical units. This indicator provides a comprehensive assessment of the compared samples. We can say which one will be more effective in a real combat situation.
Important and economic assessment products. But it happens that it cannot be brought to a general equivalent.
Called to the ring
Taking into account the above, we will evaluate the Russian Moskva-class cruiser of Project 1164. First of all, we will find a suitable opponent for it. Without going into details of the technology of choice, we state that the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser is most suitable. Representatives of this series, in fact the only ones in foreign fleets belonging to the class of guided missile cruisers, have weapons comparable to the Moskva. To a certain extent, the tasks for which the compared ships were created are also similar. Their design and construction were carried out in the 70–80s, that is, this is one generation.
Cruiser "Moskva" project 1164
Total displacement - 11,500 tons
Length - 186.5 meters
Crew - 510 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Photo: blackseanews.net
Belonging to a very universal class, the ships are designed for use in all types of military conflicts. And they have already shown themselves. The Russian cruiser was used in repelling Georgian aggression in 2008 and in the Syrian events, although in both cases without the use of weapons. American cruisers operated fully in all armed conflicts and regional wars from Desert Storm in 1991 to the operation against Libya in 2011.
Accordingly, we will consider two variants of conditions: the actions of the compared ships in a local clash with a weak naval enemy in the interests of the Air Force and Ground Forces group, in a large-scale war between Russia and NATO. In addition, it makes sense to consider the option: our cruiser against the American one as part of a naval strike group (SCG). This option is quite possible, since both can act as the core of the KUG with security from ships of lighter classes. Here, for the purity of comparison, it is advisable to assume that the damaging potential of the air defense systems of escort ships of the Russian and American groups is approximately the same.
In conflicts, both ships solve the following main tasks, for which comparisons are to be made: destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multi-purpose groups, destruction of KUG and KPUG, destruction submarines, repelling strikes from enemy air attacks, striking ground targets.
In a local war against a navally weak enemy, taking into account the likelihood of a particular task occurring, the weight coefficients are distributed as follows: destruction of groups of surface ships and boats - 0.1, destruction of submarines - 0.05, reflection of airborne attack forces - 0.3, striking ground targets – 0.55. This alignment applies to both Russian and American ships. The task of destroying enemy aircraft carrier forces in this case, obviously, will not be.
In a large-scale war, the weighting coefficients are distributed differently and differ for Russian and American ships. Their significance for "Moscow" can be assessed as follows: destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multi-purpose groups - 0.4 (including 0.1 - from a weapons tracking position and 0.3 - in oncoming combat), destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0 .25, submarines – 0.1, reflection of airborne missiles – 0.2, strikes on ground targets – 0.05. The “American” has it differently: destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0.2, submarines - 0.3, reflection of air-launched missiles - 0.3, strikes on ground targets - 0.2. Taking into account the fact that Russia has one aircraft carrier, which will operate as part of a group of strike forces, solving mainly the air defense tasks of this formation or in the air defense system of a sea area, the task of destroying it will be of little significance for an American missile cruiser.
In the red corner
The Project 1164 missile cruiser, with a total displacement of more than 11,000 tons, has the Vulcan complex with ammunition for 16 anti-ship missiles as its main armament. The maximum firing range is up to 700 kilometers. The main anti-aircraft weapons are represented by the multi-channel Fort system (S-300F). Ammunition - 64 missiles. Firing range – up to 90 kilometers. Self-defense anti-aircraft fire weapons: two single-channel Osa-MA systems and three batteries of two 30-mm AK-630 assault rifles. Anti-submarine weapons include two five-tube torpedo tubes and two RBU-6000. Universal artillery is represented by the double-barreled AK-130 gun with a caliber of 130 millimeters. The ship has effective electronic warfare systems to disrupt the operation of aircraft electronic warfare systems and the anti-ship missile seeker. The cruiser is designed to accommodate the Ka-27 helicopter. According to Western experts, to destroy or disable such ships, it is necessary to be hit by four to six Harpoon anti-ship missiles or two or three Tomahawks.
In the blue corner
Cruisers of the Ticonderoga type with a displacement of about 9600 tons have different kinds missile weapons located in two universal vertical below-deck Mk-41 launchers with a total capacity of 122 cells. Typical load is 24–26 Tomahawk missiles, 16 ASROC anti-aircraft missiles and 80 Standard-2 missiles. In addition, the ship has 16 Harpoon missiles in deck launchers. The ships are equipped with an Aegis-type combat information and control system. Universal artillery is represented by two Mk-45 guns with a caliber of 127 millimeters. Anti-submarine weapons include two three-tube tubes for small-sized Mk-46 anti-submarine torpedoes. The ships have powerful sonar equipment for searching submarines and anti-submarine helicopters. The required number of hits from heavy Russian anti-ship missiles to disable a cruiser or sink it can be estimated at one to three, and to destroy an American aircraft carrier at three to seven.
Meeting engagement
The most favorable situation for solving the problem of hitting an aircraft carrier with a Moscow-class cruiser is firing from a weapon tracking position. In this case, the ship, all other things being equal to the AUG, is guaranteed to strike the order of the main forces (an aircraft carrier and three or four escort ships). A salvo of 16 missiles will be countered by multi-channel air defense systems, combat air patrol fighters and electronic warfare systems. Up to two missiles can be shot down by fighters. The total potential of the air defense systems of the order, ranging from 7-8 to 10-12 units, will make it possible to destroy up to 70-80 percent of the remaining missiles in the salvo. Electronic warfare equipment reduces the probability of hitting the target by another 50–60 percent. As a result, a maximum of one or two missiles will reach the aircraft carrier under the most favorable conditions. That is, the probability of disabling an aircraft carrier with such a salvo is no more than 0.2.
Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73)
Total displacement - 9800 tons
Length - 172.8 meters
Crew - 387 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Cruising range - 6000 miles
Photo: warday.info
In a head-on battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach salvo range (therefore, by the way, submarines and naval missile-carrying aircraft will play a key role in the battle with the AUG).
In combat with formations of surface ships, our cruiser looks significantly better. When operating against a KUG consisting of two to four URO destroyers and frigates, it is capable of disabling or sinking up to two enemy ships, while remaining invulnerable to them (due to its superiority in the range of missile weapons). A strike on a landing party or convoy will destroy three or four ships from their composition. That is, the combat effectiveness of our cruiser in this confrontation can be estimated at 0.3–0.5.
The effectiveness of a ship's air defense systems when repelling an attack from a squadron of tactical aircraft or a missile salvo of 12–16 Tomahawk/Harpoon missiles is determined (based on open data) to be 0.3–0.6, depending on the type of air defense system.
Possible options
When attacking ground targets, our cruiser will use the Vulcan anti-ship missile system. In this case, the ability to hit targets should be assessed at two or three point targets at a depth of 600–650 kilometers from the coast. Considering that the purpose of such strikes is to disrupt the functioning of any system, in particular air defense or command and control in a certain area, the effectiveness of the actions must be compared with the total number of targets that need to be hit. If we're talking about about the complex systems mentioned, then there may be 20 or more point objects even in a separate limited area. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the impact is estimated at 0.1 or less.
The anti-submarine warfare capabilities of our cruiser are calculated based on the probability of destroying a submarine before it reaches the torpedo salvo position. This indicator depends on many factors, but the most important is the energy target detection range of the ship’s main gun. Taking into account the whole complex of factors, I estimate this probability for our cruiser at 0.3–0.6, depending on hydro-acoustic conditions and the type of submarine.
Similar indicators for the cruiser Ticonderoga are as follows. The destruction of groups of surface ships (KUG, KPUG, landing detachments and convoys) is approximately equivalent: three to four surface ships or 0.3–0.5. The effectiveness of anti-submarine warfare, taking into account the more powerful SJC, can be 0.5–0.9. Solving air defense problems – 0.4–0.7 depending on the type of air defense system. The destruction of ground targets by Tomahawks is six to eight point targets at a depth of up to a thousand kilometers, that is, 0.2–0.4.
In a duel situation, all other things being equal, “Moscow”, due to its significant superiority in firing range, has the ability to disable or sink an American cruiser with a probability of up to 0.5–0.7, without itself entering the enemy’s kill zone.
In conditions of mutual detection at the range of Ticonderoga missiles, the latter’s chances are higher. However, the likelihood of such an event is extremely low. To reach the salvo position, the “American” will need to approach our ship, being within the range of its weapons for several hours.
Victory on points
The analysis allows us to derive an integral indicator of compliance with the intended purpose of the two ships. For the Russian cruiser it is: in relation to local wars - 0.23, and in relation to large-scale wars - 0.28. For the “American” these figures are 0.39 and 0.52, respectively. That is, in terms of the degree to which the ship’s combat effectiveness corresponds to its intended purpose, our cruiser is inferior to the “American” by about 40 percent. However, in a duel situation, the Russian ship beats its opponent due to its significant superiority in the range of its weapons.
The main reason is that our cruiser is more specialized as a strike cruiser, designed to combat large groups of enemy surface ships. At the same time, its ability to solve main task– the destruction of AUGs is relatively small, while the cruiser Ticonderoga is more versatile and focused on solving a wide range of tasks that are relevant in a wider range of possible situations.
The Ticonderoga class ships are a type of guided missile cruisers that are in service with the US Navy. Warships of this class are the first in the US Navy to be equipped with the Aegis combat information and control system.
Order from navy began construction of the lead ship in 1978, and the ship was initially laid down as a guided missile, but on January 1, 1980, even before the end of the launch, due to its more advanced capabilities, it received a different classification - a guided missile cruiser. When developing design and technical documentation for a class cruiser Ticonderoga"The hull of a "class" destroyer was used Spruance».
This class has a characteristic hull with a forecastle extended towards the stern, passing through 2/3 of the entire length of the cruiser, the bow, as well as the transom stern. The cruiser's hull contours are designed in such a way that the design helps reduce the amplitude of roll and pitch, and also somewhat reduces water resistance. Taking into account the operating experience of destroyers of the "class" Spruance“The overall length of the ship was increased by 1.1 meters on the cruiser, where a special bulwark with a height of 1.4 m was installed to reduce the effects of waves in stormy conditions, and also protects the bow artillery installations and missile launch silos. Chimneys are spaced along the sides and length cruisers. Behind the wheelhouse and in the middle part of the superstructure there are lattice masts.
To the characteristic features cruisers class " Ticonderoga“We can attribute the presence of fin stabilizers and the ability of these ships to sail for a long time at a speed of at least 20 knots with a sea state of 7 points.
During the construction of cruisers of this class, durable materials were widely used, such as aluminum alloys, plastic, wear-resistant coatings, and the like.
The ammunition storage cellars are protected by 25 mm steel plates. The most vital parts of the superstructure also have additional protection in the form of honeycomb panels. The upper deck of the cruiser has a vinyl covering.
In comparison with other projects of US Navy ships on cruisers class "Ticonderoga" the area of living quarters, which are located in the middle part of the hull, has been slightly increased. American shipbuilders also provided premises for active rest and playing sports.
All cruisers « Ticonderoga» adapted for operations in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction. Why are there no portholes in the hull and superstructure? All interior spaces are equipped with air conditioning.
The cruiser is equipped with belt conveyors for transferring various cargoes from the upper to the lower decks and transferring them among the compartments. One of these devices ensures horizontal movement of cargo across the entire length of the ship. At the bow and stern of the cruiser there are posts for receiving cargo delivered by helicopters.
Another distinctive feature of this project is the use of a modular design of devices, which makes it possible to use the method of modular replacement of equipment and, in the shortest possible time, put into operation various ship systems using the forces and resources of the ship’s personnel.
Ticonderoga class cruisers
cruiser "Philippine Sea" (CG 58) in Sevastopol
cruiser USS Lake Champlain
guided missile cruiser "USS Monterey" (CG 61)
127 mm Mk 45 automatic cannon
compare the hulls of two ships: the destroyer Spruance and the cruiser Ticonderoga
a little about the missile armament of the cruiser Ticonderoga
Between 2000 and 2011, all cruisers of the "class" Ticonderoga» underwent modernization of weapons. gained the opportunity to use RIM-161 interceptor missiles " Standard Missile 3", which, using a guidance system, attack transatmospheric targets at a distance of up to 500 km at an altitude of 160 km and a shining example This was the result of an event that took place on February 21, 2008. For the first time in the history of the fleet from a cruiser " USS Lake Erie“With the help of such a missile, the uncontrolled USA-193 satellite was successfully intercepted at a distance of 275 km.
On the first five missile cruisers of the " Ticonderoga"conventional two-beam universal launchers were placed for launching anti-ship missiles of the " Harpoon", anti-aircraft " Standard"and anti-submarine "ASROC". However, in 1986, vertical missile launchers with container cells entered service with the US Navy. The use of this complex made it possible to increase the survivability of the installation, increase the ammunition supply and range of launched missiles, and also reduce the time of the counterattack. Typical loading of a vertical missile launch installation on the sixth and subsequent cruisers of the "class" Ticonderoga» next: 26 class cruise missiles Tomahawk", 16 anti-submarine guided missiles "ASROC" and 80 anti-aircraft guided missiles " Standard 2"- a total of 122 missiles in two modules.
A total of 27 guided missile cruisers of this class were built. Nineteen cruisers of this project were built at the shipyard " Ingalls Shipbuilding", and eight - at the enterprise " Bath Iron Works", USA. Four of them are cruisers " USS Yorktown», « USS Vincennes», « USS Valley Forge», « USS Thomas S. Gates"have already been withdrawn from the American fleet and are being prepared for disposal, and the lead ship " USS Ticonderoga" will become a floating museum ship, an agreement was recently reached with the US government.
« USS Ticonderoga"as a maritime museum will be installed in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The cost of all work, including preparatory repairs, berth preparation, towing and installation of the ship, is estimated at $17 million.
All cruisers except " USS Thomas S. Gates» are named after significant events associated with America during the Second World War.
Technical characteristics of the missile cruiser "USS Ticonderoga":
Displacement - 9800 tons;
Length - 172.8 m;
Width - 16.8 m;
Draft - 10.2 m;
Powerplant - four gas turbines type LM2500 "General Electric"
Power - 80,000 l. With.;
Speed - 32.5 knots;
Cruising range - 6000 miles at a speed of 20 knots;
Crew - 387 people;
Armament:
Artillery mounts Mk45 127 mm - 2;
Missile weapons: Tomahawk missiles - 26, ASROC anti-submarine guided missiles - 16, Standard 2 anti-aircraft guided missiles - 80. Total ammunition - 122 missiles;
Anti-aircraft installations "Phalanx" 20 mm - 2;
Anti-aircraft installations Mk38 25 mm - 2;
Machine gun 12.7 mm - 2;
Torpedo tubes 324 mm - 2 (three-tube);
Helicopters “Sikorsky” SH-60B or MH-60R “Seahawk” - 2;
The United States Navy has guided missile cruisers of the Ticonderoga class. Ships of this project, capable of carrying a large number of missiles, artillery and mine-torpedo weapons, have been in service since the early eighties and solve a wide range of combat missions. However, some of these cruisers are already quite old, and therefore should end their service in the near future. Decommissioning of warships can lead to certain losses in the context of the overall combat capability of the fleet.
The lead cruiser USS Ticonderoga (CG-47), after which the entire series was named, was laid down in 1980 and handed over to the Navy in early 1983. In the summer of 1994, the fleet received the last 27th ship of the project. An interesting feature of the Ticonderoga project was the redesign of the weapons system. Thus, the first five cruisers had specialized missile launchers different types. All subsequent ships, starting with USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), were equipped with Mk 41 universal vertical launchers.
The cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) is one of the first ships to be withdrawn from the Navy
In 2004-2005, the first five ships of the series, which were distinguished by less advanced means of storing and launching missiles, were withdrawn from the fleet. Others, equipped with universal launchers, continued to serve. However, in the foreseeable future the fleet will have to abandon them too. The service life of cruisers is approaching the maximum permissible values, which has a corresponding impact on their prospects.
In 2020, USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), commissioned into the US Navy in 1985, will celebrate 35 years of service. At the same time, the maximum service life of Ticonderoga-class cruisers is determined precisely at the level of 35 years. Thus, American Navy they will have to be written off and then sent for cutting. In addition, the pace of ship deliveries in the eighties of the last century should lead to a gradual abandonment of some of the remaining ships.
The American publication Defense News was recently able to gain access to a number of documents stipulating the further development of the surface fleet of the United States Navy. According to these papers, the command intends to decommission 11 Ticonderoga missile cruisers by 2026 inclusive. Other ships, however, will have to undergo repairs and modernization, as a result of which they will be able to continue serving for the next several decades.
According to Defense News, the ships USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) will be sent on tenterhooks in 2020. Next year, 2021, USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) will be removed from the fleet. In 2022, the cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG-56) and USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) will end their service. 2023 will pass without cuts, but next year the fleet will be left without the ships USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Princeton (CG-59). USS Normandy (CG-60) and USS Monterey (CG-61) will end service in 2025. The proposed Ticonderoga decommissioning program will end in 2026 with the retirement of USS Chancellorville (CG-62).
As a result of such a reduction, only 11 cruisers out of 27 built will remain in the naval forces. As necessary, they will undergo repairs and modernization, which will extend their service life beyond the 35 years established for the first ships of the series. Current plans call for the remaining ships, starting with USS Cowpens (CG-63), to remain in service until at least the mid-thirties. The last ships may not be decommissioned until the mid-forties or later.
For a variety of reasons, current plans to withdraw some cruisers from the fleet have become the cause of controversy at various levels. Such plans, directly related to the state of technology, could have serious national security implications. There are certain risks in the context of the quantity and quality of weapons. In addition, there may be problems economic nature. The obvious way out similar situation One way to get rid of possible problems is to keep existing cruisers in service.
Former US Navy officer and current analyst at the Center for a New American Security, Jerry Hendrix, commented on the current situation and existing plans as follows. He considers the correct course of events to be the inclusion of the oldest Ticonderoga cruisers in the Service Life Extension Program for repairs and modernization. This, at a minimum, will be cheaper than building new ships with the required characteristics.
USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)
In addition, J. Hendricks noted certain difficulties associated with the ammunition load of modern ships. Vertical launchers of Ticonderoga cruisers can simultaneously carry up to 122 missiles of various types. The only real replacement for such ships at present are destroyers of the Arleigh Bukre type, also equipped with Mk 41 installations. However, the destroyers' ammunition consists of only 96 missiles.
This means that when a cruiser is replaced by a destroyer, the fleet loses a quarter of its available missile slots. According to J. Hendricks, the Navy really needs these cells. “We need mass – we need capacity.”
Defense News quotes Brian McGrath, a security specialist from the analytical organization The FerryBridge Group. He also believes that decommissioning old missile cruisers could harm the combat effectiveness of the US Navy's surface forces. He agrees that adding the 11 ships to the Service Life Extension Program is the best solution to the problems.
B. McGrath also touched upon the topic of finance. He notes that current plans to reduce surface forces clearly indicate economic problems fleet. To draw up a balanced program of modernization, maintenance, procurement, etc. serious sums are needed. At the same time, however, the command, figuratively speaking, is now cutting not the skin or fat, but the bones of the fleet. The reasons for this lie in the ambiguous policies of the authorities. The new owners of the White House talk about the need to build a fleet of 350 surface ships, but do not allocate adequate funding. B. McGrath called such actions by the authorities sad and irresponsible, and also called for them to be stopped.
In accordance with existing plans, all 22 Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers remaining in service will continue to serve until 2020, after which the gradual decommissioning of the oldest representatives of this group will begin. By 2026, 11 ships that have served their allotted 35 years will be withdrawn from service. In parallel, other cruisers will be modernized, as a result of which they will be able to continue serving until the mid-forties.
The main problem of the planned cruiser reduction program is the reduction in the total ammunition load of the surface fleet with the corresponding consequences in the context of its combat effectiveness. The Ticonderoga-class ships are distinguished by the presence of multiple launchers with 122 cells for missiles of various types - 26 more than the Arleigh Burke destroyers. It is easy to calculate that if 11 cruisers are decommissioned, the fleet as a whole will lose 1,342 launch cells. With the construction of 11 new Arleigh Burke destroyers, most of these losses will be compensated, but the total ammunition load will be reduced by two and a half hundred conventional missiles.
Losses of this kind can be compensated to some extent with the help of new multi-purpose nuclear submarines carrying Tomahawk family cruise missiles. However, the potential for such “compensation” is not very great. Nuclear submarine type Virginia, built in series, regardless of modification, carries only 12 cruise missiles. In addition, submarines, for obvious reasons, cannot carry various types of anti-aircraft missiles included in the ammunition load of surface ships. As a result, destroyers and submarines - with all their advantages - will not be able to fully replace the decommissioned Ticonderoga-class ships.
The Mk 41 universal launcher can be used to fire different types of missiles. Among others, the ammunition load of such a system may include interceptor missiles used as part of missile defense. It is curious that the upcoming reduction in missile cruisers will not have any impact negative influence for the development of the American naval strategic missile defense system.
USS Chancellorville (CG-62); his service will end in 2026
In the past, even at the stage of developing the necessary projects, the command made a fundamental decision: despite a certain unification of the onboard systems of the Ticonderoga cruisers and Arleigh Burke destroyers, the latter would become the main carriers of the Aegis BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) missile defense system. However, several cruisers also received similar equipment. Five Ticonderoga ships equipped with missile defense systems are not yet subject to the reduction program and will be able to continue service in the future.
Even at the design stage, the service life of Ticonderoga missile cruisers was limited to 35 years. The first ships of the series were taken out of service long before the end of their assigned life, while the remaining ones are already approaching the specified dates. In accordance with the new Pentagon plans, half of the existing cruisers will undergo modernization and continue to serve, while the rest will have to leave the fleet and subsequently be sent for disposal.
The intention to abandon aging ships with their service life ending does not seem unexpected or surprising. At the same time, however, such logical steps can have serious consequences for the combat effectiveness of the surface fleet. How exactly it is proposed to solve them is not yet entirely clear. Obviously, the lack of deployed missiles will have to be compensated for by new ships.
Another interesting consequence current plans there will be certain difficulties in the course of the desired development of the Navy. In accordance with the instructions of the authorities, in the foreseeable future the surface group of the US naval forces should have more than three and a half hundred warships. The implementation of such plans is associated with certain difficulties, and a reduction in the number of available ships will further complicate the solution of the task.
It is obvious that the existing group of Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers has noticeable problems, and some of these ships may need to be replaced. However, there is no equivalent replacement for cruisers. Thus, the American command now faces several specific problems and challenges, the solution of which determines the further development of the naval forces. There are several years left before the start of the withdrawal of cruisers from service. During this time, the Pentagon can find optimal methods for solving existing problems that can reduce Negative consequences and lead to the desired results. However, negative scenarios cannot yet be ruled out. Time will tell how exactly events will develop.
Based on materials from sites:
https://defensenews.com/
https://executivegov.com/
http://naval-technology.com/
http://globalsecurity.org/
http://navy.mil/
https://news.usni.org/
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Ticonderoga-class cruisers were conceived as a relatively inexpensive carrier modern means Air defenses suitable for mass construction, but over time they became perhaps the most advanced warships of our time. The design of these ships was created on the basis of the hull of a Spruance-class destroyer, so the lead ship, Ticonderoga, was initially considered a destroyer, but in 1980 she was reclassified as a cruiser and received the hull number CG 47. Plans called for the construction of 28 such ships, then the administration Reagan increased this number to 30, but later reduced it to 27. The cruiser Ticonderoga entered the fleet in 1983, and the last ship of the class, Port Royal, in 1994.
These cruisers were the first warships to be equipped with the AEGIS multi-functional weapon system, the most advanced air defense system in the world. The basis of this system is the SPY-1A radar with four phased array antennas, which is capable of automatically detecting and tracking targets at a distance of more than 300 km.
The main purpose of the AEGIS system is to repel a missile attack on a US Navy ship group using air defense and electronic warfare systems. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking the movement of friendly aircraft, detecting, identifying and tracking air targets in the upper hemisphere, as well as directing air defense systems at them. In addition, a command center for a combined air defense system of a naval group can be created on the basis of the system.
The first five cruisers were equipped with two twin Mk 26 launchers for the “Standard” SM-2MR missile defense system, which were supposed to ensure the destruction of aircraft and various cruise missiles during massive raids in conditions of active use of electronic warfare equipment.
Starting with the cruiser "Bunker Hill" (CG 52), instead of the Mk 26 launcher and their charging magazines, Mk 41 UVPs were installed. In 127 cells of two UVPs, each ship accommodates the Standard missile defense system, the Harpoon anti-ship missile system, the ASROC anti-aircraft missile system and the Tomahawk missile launcher. ", which allows the ship to hit air, surface, ground and underwater targets.
Ticonderoga-class cruisers are designed to protect aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, as well as conduct independent operations. Over the past twenty-plus years, they have taken part in all US Navy operations, including two wars against Iraq, as well as Tomahawk missile attacks on Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.
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