Today's US Navy Photos & Videos

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Nov. 17, 2016) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following its 2016 patrol. Stethem made a brief stop at FLEACT Sasebo to pick up family members for a Tiger Cruise. FLEACT Yokosuka provides, maintains, and operates base facilities and services in support of 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, 83 tenant commands, and 24,000 military and civilian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released)

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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Nov. 17, 2016) The missile range instrumentation ship

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sits pier-side at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka. FLEACT Yokosuka provides, maintains, and operates base facilities and services in support of 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, 83 tenant commands, and 24,000 military and civilian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 16, 2016) Dean Hamilton, right, and Christopher Outland move cargo in preparation for an upcoming replenishment-at-sea aboard the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8). Arctic is deployed supporting coalition maritime forces ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cole Keller/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 15, 2016) Sailors and Marines observe the brightest moon in nearly 69 years from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). The phenomenon is known as the supermoon. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Hunter S. Harwell/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 2, 2016) Sailors assigned to the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) conduct small boat operations during a maritime security operation. San Jacinto, deployed as part of Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Travis Rogers/Released)

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KAIKOURA, New Zealand (Nov. 18, 2016) A MH-60R Sea Hawk from the Battle Cats of Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadron 73, attached to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) lands in the sports field at Kaikoura High School. Sampson, at the request of the government of New Zealand, remains off the coast of New Zealand's South Island to offer assistance to those affected by the recent earthquake. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bryan Jackson/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 17, 2016) Petty Officer 2nd Class Devin Pluchino observes the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Dusty Dogs of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7. Hopper is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 17, 2016) Pilots assigned to the Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 prepare to exit the cockpit of an E/A-18G Growler on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The ship and its carrier strike group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anderson W. Branch/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 16, 2016) Seaman Nathaneal Young refuels an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 "Bounty Hunters" on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck. The Carl Vinson Strike Group is underway conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 15, 2016) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during a replenishment-at-sea. Carl Vinson is underway with Carrier Strike Group One conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for a future deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan K. Serpico/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN -- An MV-22B Osprey takes off from the flight deck of USS America (LHA 6), November 19, 2016. The Osprey dropped off distinguished visitors and media before the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration. The demonstration is the first shipboard Marine Corps F-35B integration demonstration alongside other Marine Corps Air Combat Element assets. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN-- The USS America (LHA-6), the Navy's newest class of ship, floats off the coast of California. The USS America is specifically designed for the new F-35B and MV-22B. With over 22,500 flight hours, the F-35B is the most versatile aircraft in the skies today. (U.S. Marine Corps Photos by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN-- An F-35B Lightning II hovers before landing aboard the USS America (LHA 6) during the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration, November 19, 2016. The demonstration is the first shipboard Marine Corps F-35B integration demonstration alongside other Marine Corps Air Combat Element assets. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN -- Two F-35B Lightning II's sit on the flight deck aboard USS America (LHA 6), November 17, 2016, for the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration.With over 22,500 flight hours logged the F-35B is the most versatile aircraft in the skies today. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 14, 2016) Sailors assigned as phone talkers prepare themselves for a general quarters drill aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during the final phase of Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S). ULTRA-S is the last phase of four major training events in Ronald Reagan's Fleet Response Training Plan, which includes crew certification, Core 1, Core 2 and ULTRA-S. Ronald Reagan, the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 flagship, is on patrol supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan McFarlane/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 18, 2016) An MH-60S Sea Hawk from the "Island Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 transports ordnance from the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), to USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) during an ammunition offload. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 18, 2016) Sailors prepare ordnance for transport on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), before an ammunition offload with USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 24, 2016) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus eats Thanksgiving dinner with Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) IKE's culinary specialists prepared more than 4,950 pounds of turkey, 1,050 pounds of ham, 1,200 pounds of beef tenderloin, 648 pounds of shrimp cocktail, 7,000 portions of mashed potatoes, 400 pies and 200 cheesecakes for the ship's Thanksgiving meal. Ike and it's carrier strike group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anderson Branch)

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EVERETT, Wash. (Nov. 21, 2016) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) arrives at its new homeport, Naval Station Everett (NSE), after departing from San Diego, California. Kidd is the third of four destroyers being reassigned to NSE in 2016. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano/Released)

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BREMERTON, Washington (Nov. 22, 2016) Seaman Willie Cross, from St. Louis, heaves line on the fantail of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the ship gets underway from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton. John C. Stennis is underway to conduct routine training and participate in National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day events in Hawaii. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Cole C. Pielop/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 21, 2016) An E/A-18G Growler assigned to the Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). IKE and its carrier strike group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anderson W. Branch/Released)

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SEA OF JAPAN (Nov. 17, 2016) Lt.j.g. Juan Barba-Jaume, assigned to the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team, approaches the pilothouse during a training exercise. Barry is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released)

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1. 21st century cruisers

There are very few navies in the world today that have cruisers in their inventories. Two of the world's superpowers, as somebody could expected, the USA and Russia, have such warships in their fleets, ships that exceed the 10,000tons displacement and of length greater than 170 meters.

• Ticonderoga class cruisers of the United States Navy

The ultimate American cruisers reached the 21,000tons and 218 meters length (Des Moines class heavy gun armed cruiser) and the nuclear-powered missile cruiser USS Long Beach with 17,000t displacement at full load and 220 meters length. The cruiser classes that followed, were significant smaller in size, with the final one (for the moment?), the numerous Ticonderoga class, with about 10,000 tons and 173 meters length. At present, the U.S. Navy has 22 ships of the Ticonderoga class in active service of the originally 27, of which the five (CG47 - CG51) equipped with the Mk26 dual arm launching system have been retired. The only cruisers in service with US today, are equipped with 122 VLS (!) for a variety of missiles including long/medium/short range SAMs, cruise missiles and ASW missiles, eight launchers for anti-ship missiles, two 5in guns, two CIWS, torpedo launchers and a variety of secondary guns and heavy machine guns. The class will be analyzed thoroughly in a future post.

Nevertheless, the future of the class is uncertain. In its 2015 budget request the Navy outlined a plan to operate 11 (recently-modernized) cruisers (CG52 - CG53), while the Navy upgrades the newest 11 ships (CG63 - CG73. The upgraded cruisers would then replace the first 11 ships on a one-for-one basis as each older ship reaches the end of service life starting in 2020 (USS Bunker Hill and USS Mobile Bay will be the first ships for retirement). (

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) This would retain one cruiser per CVN group to host the group's air warfare commander, a role for which the DDGs do not have sufficient facilities. Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyers equipped with the Air Missile Defense Radar give enhanced coverage, but putting the radar on standard DDG hulls does not allow enough room for extra staff and command and control facilities for the air warfare commander; DDGs can be used tactically for air defense, but they augment CGs that provide command and control in a battle group and are more used for other missions such as defending other fleet units and keeping sea lanes open. Congress opposed the plan on the grounds that it makes it easier for Navy officials to completely retire the ships once out of service; the Navy would have to retire all cruisers from the fleet by 2028 if all are kept in service, while deactivating half and gradually returning them into service could make 11 cruisers last from 2035 to 2045. There is no current CG replacement program, as most funding is committed to the Ohio Replacement Submarine, so work on a new cruiser is expected to begin in the mid-2020s, and begin fielding by the mid-2030s. The Navy is once again (Sep 21) asking to modernize the 11 ships along the Navy’s preferred schedule, rather than the modified schedule directed by Congress. (

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and Cavas, Christopher P., 2014)

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