Seen as a platform for anti-aircraft missile system Aegis of zoned air defense at minimal cost to build in large numbers, the Ticonderoga class is based on the hull of the popular Spruence-class destroyer. The initial plans were to build 30 units, but then this figure was reduced to 27. The hull and layout of the machine mechanisms are analogous to the basic Spruence class, but the greater displacement led to a noticeable decrease in speed. In this regard, some criticism was expressed 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 zonal 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 observation, 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 magazines for ammunition will be replaced by two vertical Mk 41 launchers, designed to accommodate 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, the Shiloh, was commissioned in 1994. The Princeton was badly damaged by an Iraqi mine during the Gulf War in 1991.
The 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 plants LM 2500 from General Electric, working on two shafts, power, l. With. (kW): 80,000 (59,655);
- Travel speed, knots: 30;
- Airplane: two SH-2D Seasprite or SH-60B Seahawk multipurpose helicopters;
- Armament: two eight-shot 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, respectively, 68 missiles and 20 missiles), two single-barreled 127-mm artillery mounts, two 20 -mm anti-aircraft artillery self-defense systems "Phalanx", two three-tube torpedo tubes Mk 32 caliber 324 mm with ammunition 14 Mk46 torpedoes;
- Electronics: two combined phased antenna arrays SPY-1A "Aegis", radar station for detecting air targets SPS-49, radar station for detecting surface (ground) targets SPS-10, system SPQ-9A fire control system, four radar stations fire control system SPG-62 for anti-aircraft guided missile "Standard", one set of radio reconnaissance SLQ-32, four Mk 36 Super RBOC launchers for setting chaff, NAVSAT satellite navigation system, one SQS-23 sonar station, SQR-19 sonar station with a towed antenna array, satellite system SATCOM communications;
- Crew, people: 360.
For a comparative assessment of the Moskva missile cruiser, one could take the destroyer URO of the Orly Burke type, but this is still a ship of a different class, although it is similar in terms of armament and displacement.
Simple matching performance characteristics weapons samples gives little. The reasons are simple: each state creates weapons in accordance with the requirements, which are determined primarily by the content of military threats, the chosen methods and ways 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 for the 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 method of analysis.
“In an oncoming battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach a volley distance”
First of all, the correct choice of applicants for comparison is important. The foreign analogue must belong to the same class as the Russian sample. 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, winning in one, lose to their predecessors in another. As a result, in specific conditions, when solving specific problems, a more modern model may be less effective.
Also important are the correct conditions for comparison, that is, in which conflict, against which enemy, in what ways the compared samples are used. One-on-one actions are often considered. However, there are such samples of military equipment that do not involve direct confrontation. Anti-submarine aircraft can be cited as an example - they simply have nothing to fight with each other. If the effectiveness of the compared samples is not symmetrical according to 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 proceed to the analysis of tactical and technical characteristics. At the same time, 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 performance can be made, including in a one-on-one scheme. The calculation is made for each compared sample for all combat missions under consideration and for possible options for the conditions of use. Next, the integral efficiency indicator is calculated. It summarizes the results of solving all typical combat missions in predictable scenarios. This is already a more or less objective characteristic of the compared tactical units. This indicator gives a comprehensive assessment of the compared samples. We can say which of them will be more effective in a real combat situation.
important and economic evaluation products. But it happens that it cannot be reduced to a general equivalent.
Called to the ring
In view of the foregoing, let's evaluate the Russian cruiser of the "Moskva" type of project 1164. First of all, we will find a suitable opponent for it. Without going into the details of the technology of choice, we state that the American cruiser of the Ticonderoga type is the most suitable. Representatives of this series, in fact, the only ones in foreign fleets belonging to the class of URO cruisers, have armament comparable to the "Moscow". 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 "Moscow" project 1164
Full displacement - 11,500 tons
Length - 186.5 meters
Crew - 510 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Photo: blackseanews.net
Relating to a very versatile class, the ships are designed for use in all types of military conflicts. And they have already shown themselves. The Russian cruiser - in repelling the aggression of Georgia in 2008 and in the Syrian events, however, in both cases without the use of weapons. American cruisers have been fully operational in all armed conflicts and regional wars from Desert Storm in 1991 to the operation against Libya in 2011.
Accordingly, we will consider two options for the conditions: the actions of the compared ships in a local collision with a navally weak enemy in the interests of the Air Force and Ground Forces, in a large-scale Russia-NATO war. In addition, it makes sense to consider the option: our cruiser against the American as part of a naval strike group (KUG). This option is quite possible, since both can act as the core of the KUG with escort from ships of lighter classes. Here, for the purity of comparison, it is advisable to assume that the striking potential of the air defense systems of the escort ships of the Russian and American groups is approximately the same.
In conflicts, both ships solve the following main tasks, for which a comparison is to be made: the destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multipurpose groups, the destruction of KUG and KPUG, the destruction submarines, repelling attacks by enemy air attack means, delivering strikes against ground targets.
In a local war against a navally weak enemy, taking into account the probability of the occurrence of a particular task, the weight coefficients are distributed as follows: the destruction of groups of surface ships and boats - 0.1, the destruction of submarines - 0.05, the reflection of AOS - 0.3, striking ground targets - 0.55. This alignment applies to both Russian and American ships. The task of destroying the enemy aircraft carrier forces in this case, obviously, will not stand.
In a large-scale war, the weights are distributed differently and are different for Russian and American ships. Their significance for "Moscow" can be assessed as follows: the destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multi-purpose groups - 0.4 (including 0.1 - from the position of tracking weapons and 0.3 - in the oncoming battle), the destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0 .25, submarines - 0.1, EOS reflection - 0.2, strikes against ground targets - 0.05. The "American" is different: the destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0.2, submarines - 0.3, repulsion of airborne forces - 0.3, strikes on ground targets - 0.2. Taking into account the fact that Russia has one aircraft carrier that will operate as part of a strike force grouping, solving mainly the air defense tasks of this formation or in the air defense system of the sea area, the task of destroying it will be of little importance 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 Vulkan complex with 16 anti-ship missiles as its main armament. The maximum firing range is up to 700 kilometers. The main anti-aircraft armament is represented by the Fort multi-channel complex (S-300F). Ammunition - 64 missiles. Firing range - up to 90 kilometers. Self-defense anti-aircraft weapons: two Osa-MA single-channel 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 a double-barreled gun AK-130 caliber 130 millimeters. The ship has effective electronic warfare equipment to disrupt the operation of aircraft radio electronics and anti-ship missile seeker. The cruiser provides for the basing of the Ka-27 helicopter. According to Western experts, four to six Harpoon anti-ship missiles or two to three Tomahawks are required to destroy or disable such ships.
In the blue corner
Cruisers of the Ticonderoga type, with a displacement of about 9600 tons, have different kinds rocket weapons, located in two universal vertical under-deck launchers Mk-41 with a total capacity of 122 cells. A typical load is 24–26 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 16 ASROC PLURs 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 guns Mk-45 caliber 127 millimeters. Anti-submarine armament includes two triple-tube torpedoes for small-sized Mk-46 anti-submarine torpedoes. The ships have powerful sonar submarine search facilities and anti-submarine helicopters. The required number of hits by heavy Russian anti-ship missiles to disable a cruiser or sink it can be estimated at one to three, to destroy an American aircraft carrier - three to seven.
Meeting engagement
The most favorable situation for solving the problem of hitting an aircraft carrier with a Moskva-class cruiser is firing from a tracking position with a weapon. In this case, the ship, under other conditions being equal to the AUG, is guaranteed to strike at the order of the main forces (an aircraft carrier and three or four escort ships). A volley of 16 missiles will meet opposition from 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 order's air defense systems, ranging from 7–8 to 10–12 units, will make it possible to destroy up to 70–80 percent of the remaining salvo missiles. 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 putting an aircraft carrier out of action with such a volley is no more than 0.2.
USS Port Royal (CG-73) Ticonderoga-class cruiser
Full displacement - 9800 tons
Length - 172.8 meters
Crew - 387 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Cruising range - 6000 miles
Photo: warday.info
In an oncoming battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach a salvo distance (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 much better. When operating against a KUG consisting of two to four destroyers and URO frigates, it is able to disable or sink up to two enemy ships, while remaining invulnerable to them (due to the superior range of missile weapons). An attack on an amphibious detachment or a convoy will make it possible to 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 the ship's air defense systems when repulsing an attack by a squadron of tactical aircraft or a missile salvo of 12–16 Tomahawk/Harpoon missiles is determined (based on open data) at 0.3–0.6, depending on the type of AOS.
Possible options
In attacks on ground targets, our cruiser will use the Vulkan anti-ship missiles. In this case, the ability to hit targets should be estimated at two or three point objects at a depth of up to 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 actions must be compared with the total number of targets that need to be hit. If we are talking about the mentioned complex systems, then there can 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 capabilities of our cruiser are calculated by the criterion of the probability of destroying a submarine before it enters the position of a torpedo salvo. This indicator depends on many factors, but the most important is the energy target detection range of the ship's SAC. Taking into account the whole complex of factors, I estimate this probability for our cruiser at 0.3-0.6, depending on the hydro-acoustic conditions and the type of submarine.
Similar indicators for the Ticonderoga cruiser are as follows. The destruction of groups of surface ships (KUG, KPUG, landing units and convoys) is approximately equivalent: three to four surface ships or 0.3–0.5. The effectiveness of the fight against submarines, taking into account the more powerful SAC, can be 0.5–0.9. Solving air defense problems - 0.4–0.7, depending on the type of air defense. Defeat ground targets "Tomahawks" - six to eight point targets to a depth of up to a thousand kilometers, that is, 0.2-0.4.
In a duel situation, ceteris paribus, due to a significant superiority in firing range, Moscow 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 a range of Ticonderoga missiles, the chances of the latter are higher. However, the likelihood of such an event is extremely small. The “American” will have to approach our ship in order to enter the salvo position, being within the range of its weapons for several hours.
Win by points
The analysis carried out makes it possible to derive an integral indicator of compliance with the purpose of the two ships. For the Russian cruiser, it is: in relation to local wars - 0.23, and to large-scale wars - 0.28. The “American” has these figures of 0.39 and 0.52, respectively. That is, in terms of the degree of compliance of the combat effectiveness of the ship with its mission, our cruiser is inferior to the "American" by about 40 percent. However, in a duel situation, the Russian ship beats the opponent due to a significant superiority in the range of weapons.
The main reason is that our cruiser is more specialized as a strike cruiser, designed to deal with large groups of enemy surface ships. At the same time, its ability to solve main task- the defeat of the AUG is relatively small, while the Ticonderoga cruiser is more versatile and is 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 missile cruiser in service with the US Navy. Warships of this class were the first in the US Navy to be equipped with the Aegis combat information and control system.
Order from navy he entered the construction of the lead ship in 1978, and the ship was originally laid down as a URO, but on January 1, 1980, even before the launch was completed, due to more advanced capabilities, it received a different classification - a URO cruiser. When developing design and technical documentation for a cruiser of the class " Ticonderoga"the hull of a class destroyer" was used Spruance».
This class has a characteristic hull with a forecastle extended into the stern, passing through 2/3 of the entire length of the cruiser, the bow, and also the transom stern. The contours of the cruiser hull are designed in such a way that the design helps to reduce the amplitude of the roll and pitch, and also slightly reduces water resistance. Taking into account the experience of operating destroyers of the class " Spruance» The total length of the ship was increased by 1.1 meters on the cruiser, where a special 1.4 m high bulwark was installed to reduce the impact of waves in stormy conditions, and also protects bow artillery installations and missile launchers. Chimneys are spaced along the sides and length cruisers. Lattice masts are located behind the wheelhouse and in the middle part of the superstructure.
To the characteristics cruisers class " Ticonderoga"we can attribute the presence of fin stabilizers and the ability of these ships to go for a long time at a speed of at least 20 knots with sea waves of 7 balls.
In the construction of cruisers of this class, durable materials were widely used, such as aluminum alloys, plastic, wear-resistant coatings, and the like.
Cellars for storing ammunition are protected by 25 mm steel plates. The most vital parts of the superstructure are also additionally protected in the form of honeycomb panels. The upper deck of the cruiser has a vinyl covering.
In comparison with other projects of the ships of the American fleet on cruisers class "Ticonderoga" the area of \u200b\u200bliving premises, which are located in the middle part of the building, is slightly increased. American shipbuilders also provided premises for active rest and doing sports.
All cruisers « Ticonderoga» adapted for operations in the 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 an air conditioning system.
The cruiser is equipped with belt conveyors for transferring various cargoes from the upper to the lower decks and transferring them to the compartments. One of these devices provides horizontal movement of goods through the entire length of the ship. The bow and stern of the cruiser are equipped with 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 aggregate replacement of equipment and, in the shortest possible time, put into operation various ship systems by the forces and means of the ship's personnel.
Ticonderoga-class cruisers
cruiser «Philippine Sea» (CG 58) in Sevastopol
cruiser USS Lake Champlain
cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61)
127 mm automatic gun Mk 45
compare the hulls of two ships: the destroyer Spruance and the cruiser Ticonderoga
a little about the missile armament of the Ticonderoga cruiser
In the period from 2000 to 2011, all cruisers of the class " Ticonderoga"were upgraded weapons. got the opportunity to use RIM-161 interceptor missiles " Standard Missile 3", which, using the guidance system, attack atmospheric targets at a distance of up to 500 km at an altitude of 160 km and a prime example This was the 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 unguided satellite USA-193 was successfully intercepted at a distance of 275 km.
On the first five missile cruisers of the class " Ticonderoga"housed conventional double-beam universal launchers 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 and range of launched missiles, and also reduce the counterattack time. Typical loading of the installation of vertical launch of missiles on the sixth and subsequent cruisers of the class " Ticonderoga» next: 26 cruise missiles « Tomahawk", 16 ASROC anti-submarine guided missiles and 80 anti-aircraft guided missiles" Standard 2"- a total of 122 missiles in two modules.
A total of 27 URO 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 preparing for disposal, and the lead ship" USS Ticonderoga” will become a floating museum ship, as an agreement was recently reached with the US government.
« USS Ticonderoga” as a maritime museum will be installed in the city of Pascagoula, Mississippi. The cost of all work, including preparatory repairs, preparation of the berth, 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 USS Ticonderoga missile cruiser:
Displacement - 9800 tons;
Length - 172.8 m;
Width - 16.8 m;
Draft - 10.2 m;
Power plant - four gas turbines type LM2500 "General Electric"
Power - 80000 l. With.;
Travel 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 armament: Tomahawk missiles - 26, ASROC anti-submarine guided missiles - 16, Standard 2 anti-aircraft 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-pipe);
Helicopters "Sikorsky" SH-60B or MH-60R "Seahawk" - 2;
The United States Navy is a guided missile cruiser of the Ticonderoga class. The ships of this project, capable of carrying a large amount of missile, artillery and mine-torpedo weapons, have been serving since the beginning of the eighties and solve a wide range of combat missions. Nevertheless, some of these cruisers are already quite old, and therefore should end their service in the near future. The 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 processing of the weapons complex. So, the first five cruisers had specialized launchers for missiles. different types. All subsequent ships, starting with USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), were equipped with Mk 41 universal vertical launchers.
Cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) - one of the first ships to be retired 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. The service life of cruisers is approaching the maximum allowable values, which accordingly affects their prospects.
In 2020, USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), commissioned in 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, US Navy you will have to write them off and then send them for cutting. In addition, the pace of deliveries of ships in the eighties of the last century should lead to the gradual abandonment of some of the remaining ships.
The American publication Defense News not so long ago was able to get 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 write off 11 Ticonderoga missile cruisers by 2026 inclusive. Other ships, however, will have to undergo repairs and upgrades, as a result of which they will be able to continue service over the next few decades.
According to Defense News, the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) ships will be sent to pins and needles in 2020. In the next 2021, USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) will be withdrawn from the fleet. In 2022, the service of the cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG-56) and USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) will end. 2023 will pass without cuts, but next year the fleet will be left without USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Princeton (CG-59). In 2025, USS Normandy (CG-60) and USS Monterey (CG-61) will end their service. The proposed Ticonderoga decommissioning program will end in 2026 with the decommissioning of the USS Chancellorville (CG-62).
As a result of such a reduction in the composition of the naval forces, only 11 cruisers out of 27 built will remain. As necessary, they will undergo repairs and upgrades, which will extend their service life beyond the 35 years established for the first ships of the series. According to current plans, the remaining ships, starting with USS Cowpens (CG-63), will remain in service until at least the mid-thirties. The last ships can only be decommissioned in the mid-forties or later.
For a variety of reasons, the current plans to withdraw part of the cruisers from the fleet have become the cause of controversy at various levels. Such plans, directly related to the state of technology, can have serious consequences in the field of national security. 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, allowing you to get rid of possible problems, is the preservation of existing cruisers in the ranks.
Former US Navy officer and now Center for a New American Security analyst Jerry Hendrix commented on the current situation and plans as follows. He considers the inclusion of the oldest Ticonderoga cruisers in the Service Life Extension Program to be included in the repair and modernization program, he considers the correct course of events. This, at least, will be cheaper than building new ships with the required characteristics.
USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)
In addition, J. Hendrix noted certain difficulties associated with the ammunition load of modern ships. The vertical launchers of the Ticonderoga cruisers can simultaneously carry up to 122 different types of missiles. The only real replacement for such ships at the present time are the Arleigh Bukre-class destroyers, also equipped with Mk 41 mounts. However, the destroyers' ammunition load consists of only 96 missiles.
This means that when replacing a cruiser with a destroyer, the fleet loses a quarter of the available missile slots. According to J. Hendrix, the Navy really needs these cells. “We need mass – we need capacity.”
Defense News quotes Brian McGrath, a security specialist from The FerryBridge Group, an analytical organization. He also believes that the decommissioning of old missile cruisers could hit the combat capability of the US Navy's surface forces. He agrees that the inclusion of 11 ships in the Service Life Extension Program is the best solution to the existing problems.
B. McGrath also touched upon the topic of finance. He notes that the current plans to reduce surface forces clearly speak of 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, now cuts not the skin and not the fat, but the bones of the fleet. The reasons for this lie in the ambiguous policy of the authorities. The new owners of the White House talk about the need to build a fleet of 350 surface ships, but they do not allocate proper funding. B. McGrath called such actions of the authorities sad and irresponsible, and also called for them to be stopped.
In accordance with existing plans, all remaining 22 Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers will continue to serve until 2020, after which the oldest representatives of this group will be gradually decommissioned. By 2026, 11 ships that have served their allotted 35 years will be withdrawn from service. In parallel, modernization of other cruisers will be carried out, 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 decrease in the total ammunition load of the surface fleet, with corresponding consequences in the context of its combat capability. The Ticonderoga-class ships are notable for having multiple launchers with 122 slots for various types of missiles, 26 more than the Arleigh Burke destroyers. It is easy to calculate that when 11 cruisers are decommissioned, the fleet as a whole will lose 1342 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 cruise missiles of the Tomahawk family. However, the potential for such "compensation" is not too great. submarine type Virginia, built in series, regardless of the modification, carry a total of 12 cruise missiles. In addition, submarines, for obvious reasons, cannot carry various types of anti-aircraft missiles that are 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 decommissioned Ticonderoga-class ships.
The universal launcher Mk 41 can be used to fire various types of missiles. Among others, the ammunition of such a system may include interceptor missiles used as part of anti-missile defense. It is curious that the upcoming reduction in missile cruisers will not negative impact on the development of the American strategic naval 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 on-board systems of the Ticonderoga cruisers and Arleigh Burke destroyers, the latter will become the main carriers of the Aegis BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) anti-missile system. However, several cruisers also received similar equipment. The 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 decommissioned long before the depletion of the assigned resource, while the remaining ones are already approaching the indicated dates. In accordance with the new plans of the Pentagon, half of the existing cruisers will be upgraded and continue to serve, while the rest will have to leave the fleet and go for recycling in the future.
The intention to abandon aging ships with ending lives does not seem unexpected or surprising. At the same time, however, such logical steps can have serious consequences for the combat capability of the surface fleet. How exactly it is proposed to solve them is not yet completely 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 grouping of the US naval forces should include more than three and a half hundred warships. The implementation of such plans is associated with certain difficulties, and the reduction in the number of available ships will further complicate the solution of the task.
Obviously, the existing grouping of missile cruisers of the Ticonderoga type has noticeable problems, and some of these ships may need to be replaced. An equivalent replacement for cruisers, however, is missing. Thus, the American command is now facing several specific problems and challenges, the solution of which depends on the further development of the naval forces. A few years remain before the start of the withdrawal of cruisers from the combat strength. During this time, the Pentagon can find the best methods for solving existing problems that can reduce Negative consequences and lead to the desired results. However, negative scenarios cannot be ruled out yet. How events will develop, only time will tell.
According to the websites:
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 defense, suitable for mass construction, but over time they have become perhaps the most advanced warships of our time. The project of these ships was created on the basis of the hull of the Spruence-class destroyer, so the lead ship, the Ticonderoga, was originally considered a destroyer, but in 1980 it was reclassified as a cruiser and received tail number CG 47. The plans provided for the construction of 28 such ships, then the administration Reagan increased this number to 30, but later reduced it to 27. The Ticonderoga cruiser entered the fleet in 1983, and the last ship of the type, Port Royal, in 1994.
These cruisers were the first warships to be equipped with the AEGIS multifunctional weapon system, the most advanced air defense system in the world. The basis of this system is the SPY-1A radar with four phased antenna arrays, 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 aiming air defense systems at them. In addition, on the basis of the system, a command center of the unified air defense system of a ship group can be created.
The first five cruisers were equipped with two twin launchers Mk 26 "Standard" SM-2MR, which were supposed to ensure the destruction of aircraft and various cruise missiles during massive raids in the conditions of active use of electronic warfare.
Starting with the Bunker Hill cruiser (CG 52), instead of the Mk 26 launchers and their charging magazines, the Mk 41 UVPs were installed. In 127 cells of two UVPs on each ship, the Standard SAM, the Harpoon anti-ship missile, the ASROC PLUR and the Tomahawk missile launcher are located ”, which allows the ship to hit air, surface, ground and underwater targets.
Cruisers of the Ticonderoga type are designed to protect aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, as well as to conduct independent operations. Over the past twenty-odd years, they have taken part in all US Navy operations, including two wars against Iraq, as well as bombardments of Yugoslavia and Afghanistan with Tomahawk missiles.
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