Belknap class cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Belknap class cruiser was a class of single-ended guided missile cruisers (their missile armament was installed only forward, unlike "double-ended" missile cruisers with missile armament installed both forward and aft) built for the United States Navy
during the 1960s. They were originally designated as DLG frigates (destroyer leaders; the USN use of the term frigate from 1950 to 1975 was intended to evoke the power of the sailing frigates of old), but in the 1975 fleet realignment
, they were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG).
Mk 10 Missile Launcher on the foredeck. The class was also equipped with two twin 3"/50 caliber guns for defence against sub-sonic aircraft. During the NTU
program in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the class had its Terrier system upgraded to utilize Standard missile
s, the 3 inch guns were replaced with two 4 cell Harpoon Surface-to-surface missile launchers, and two Phalanx CIWS
systems were installed.
The derivative Truxtun
class shared the weapons systems outfit of the Belknap class, but was nuclear-powered
, larger and substantially unrelated in design (for example, many weapons systems in different locations, such as the aft-facing GMLS). Most information related to nuclear cruisers is still classified, but "Truxtun" appears to be a "Belknap"-like derivative of the nuclear cruiser "Bainbridge" more than the other way around.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the 1960s. They were originally designated as DLG frigates (destroyer leaders; the USN use of the term frigate from 1950 to 1975 was intended to evoke the power of the sailing frigates of old), but in the 1975 fleet realignment
United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification
The United States Navy reclassified many of its surface vessels in 1975, changing terminology and hull classification symbols for cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts.- Classification prior to 1975 :...
, they were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG).
Description
When commissioned, the main armament of the Belknap class was a 5 inch/54-caliber Mk. 42 gun on the quarterdeck and a twin-rail RIM-2 TerrierRIM-2 Terrier
The Convair RIM-2 Terrier was a two-stage medium-range naval surface-to-air missile , and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. Originally, the Terrier had a launch thrust of 23 kN , and weight of 1392 kg...
Mk 10 Missile Launcher on the foredeck. The class was also equipped with two twin 3"/50 caliber guns for defence against sub-sonic aircraft. During the NTU
New Threat Upgrade
-The Program:New Threat Upgrade was a program to improve the anti-aircraft capability of Terrier and Tartar ships. It allowed the full use of newer Standard missiles and improved the interoperability of the radar and computer systems aboard the ships...
program in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the class had its Terrier system upgraded to utilize Standard missile
RIM-67 Standard
The RIM-67 Standard ER is an extended range surface-to-air missile and anti ship missile originally developed for the United States Navy...
s, the 3 inch guns were replaced with two 4 cell Harpoon Surface-to-surface missile launchers, and two Phalanx CIWS
Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division...
systems were installed.
The derivative Truxtun
Truxtun class cruiser
The Truxtun class cruiser was a nuclear-powered class of single-ended guided missile cruisers based on a heavily modified version of the Belknap class...
class shared the weapons systems outfit of the Belknap class, but was nuclear-powered
Nuclear marine propulsion
Nuclear marine propulsion is propulsion of a ship by a nuclear reactor. Naval nuclear propulsion is propulsion that specifically refers to naval warships...
, larger and substantially unrelated in design (for example, many weapons systems in different locations, such as the aft-facing GMLS). Most information related to nuclear cruisers is still classified, but "Truxtun" appears to be a "Belknap"-like derivative of the nuclear cruiser "Bainbridge" more than the other way around.
Ships in class
| Keel laid | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | |
| Belknap (CG-26) | 1962 February | 1963 July | 1964 November | 1995 February |
| Josephus Daniels (CG-27) USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) USS Josephus Daniels was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. Named for Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy during World War I. She was launched as DLG-27, a frigate, and reclassified Cruiser on 30 June 1975.... |
1962 April | 1963 December | 1965 May | 1994 January |
| Wainwright (CG-28) | 1962 July | 1965 April | 1966 January | 1993 November |
| Jouett (CG-29) | 1962 September | 1964 June | 1966 December | 1994 January |
| Horne (CG-30) USS Horne (CG-30) USS Horne was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. Named for Admiral Frederick J. Horne, 1880-1959. She was launched as DLG-30, a frigate, and reclassified Cruiser on 30 June 1975.... |
1962 November | 1964 October | 1967 April | 1994 February |
| Sterett (CG-31) USS Sterett (CG-31) USS Sterett was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. She was the third ship to be named for Master Commandant Andrew Sterett , who served during the Quasi-War with France and the Barbary Wars... |
1962 September | 1964 June | 1967 April | 1994 March |
| William H. Standley (CG-32) USS William H. Standley (CG-32) USS William H. Standley was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. She was named for Admiral William Harrison Standley, former Chief of Naval Operations and ambassador to the Soviet Union. She was launched as DLG-32, a frigate, and reclassified Cruiser on 30 June 1975.The contract to... |
1963 July | 1964 December | 1966 July | 1994 February |
| Fox (CG-33) | 1963 January | 1964 November | 1966 May | 1994 April |
| Biddle (CG-34) | 1963 December | 1965 July | 1967 January | 1993 November |
External links
- Belknap-class frigates at Destroyer History Foundation
- FAS write-up