Truxtun class cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Truxtun class cruiser was a nuclear-powered
class of single-ended guided missile cruisers (their missile armament was installed only aft, unlike "double-ended" cruisers with missile armament installed both forward and aft) based on a heavily modified version of the Belknap class
. Truxtun was the third class of nuclear cruisers to operate in the United States Navy
, after the Long Beach
and Bainbridge
classes, and was powered by the same D2G reactors as the Bainbridge class. The class was originally designated as a destroyer leader (DLG), but in the 1975 cruiser realignment
, it was reclassified as a guided missile cruiser (CG).
s rather than her sister class's four 1,200 psi boilers. This resulted in the Truxtun class being larger overall: 17 feet (5.2 m) longer, 3 foot (0.9144 m) greater across the beam, a 2 foot (0.6096 m) draft, and a displacement of almost 1,200 more tons. The lessons learned on the Truxtun class were later adapted to the next nuclear classes, the California
and Virginia
classes of nuclear-powered cruisers.
The Truxtun class was commissioned with a 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun on the foredeck and a twin-rail Mk 10 Missile Launcher on the quarterdeck, for the RIM-2 Terrier
The Terrier system was later upgraded to utilizing the RIM-67A Standard missile
s in place of the less reliable Terrier missile. The missile depot was located under the helicopter deck and could store 40 RIM-67 Standard
and 20 RUR-5 ASROC
missiles. The class initially used two twin 3"/50 caliber guns, however in 1980 these were replaced with two Harpoon missile launchers. The ASW
suite of the Truxtun class originally included the un-manned DASH, but in 1971 the hangar was upgraded to LAMPS
Mk. I and the SH-2 Seasprite
helicopter. While the class was not upgraded via the NTU
program, two Phalanx CIWS
systems were installed, and new electronics were installed during overhaul and nuclear refuelling in the mid 1980s.
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...
class of single-ended guided missile cruisers (their missile armament was installed only aft, unlike "double-ended" cruisers with missile armament installed both forward and aft) based on a heavily modified version of the Belknap class
Belknap class cruiser
The Belknap class cruiser was a class of single-ended guided missile cruisers built for the United States Navy during the 1960s...
. Truxtun was the third class of nuclear cruisers to operate in the United States Navy
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...
, after the Long Beach
Long Beach class cruiser
The Long Beach class cruiser is a single-ship class of the United States Navy. The class is noted as the world's first nuclear-powered surface combatant, and the last cruiser built in the US Navy to a cruiser design; all subsequent cruiser classes were built on scaled-up destroyer hulls, or, in...
and Bainbridge
Bainbridge class cruiser
' was a nuclear-powered version of the double-ended guided missile frigate. Originally a guided missile destroyer leader, the class was re-designated guided missile cruiser in 1975...
classes, and was powered by the same D2G reactors as the Bainbridge class. The class was originally designated as a destroyer leader (DLG), but in the 1975 cruiser 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 :...
, it was reclassified as a guided missile cruiser (CG).
Overview
Virtually identical to the Belknap class in weapons systems, the Truxtun class was powered by two D2G reactorD2G reactor
The D2G reactor was a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The D2G designation stands for:* D = Destroyer platform* 2 = Second generation core designed by the contractor...
s rather than her sister class's four 1,200 psi boilers. This resulted in the Truxtun class being larger overall: 17 feet (5.2 m) longer, 3 foot (0.9144 m) greater across the beam, a 2 foot (0.6096 m) draft, and a displacement of almost 1,200 more tons. The lessons learned on the Truxtun class were later adapted to the next nuclear classes, the California
California class cruiser
The California class cruisers were a set of two of nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers operated by the United States Navy between 1974 and 1998. Other than their nuclear power supply and lack of helicopter hangars, ships of the California class were comparable to other guided missile cruisers...
and Virginia
Virginia class cruiser
The Virginia-class nuclear guided-missile cruisers were a series of four double-ended guided-missile cruisers commissioned in the late 1970s, which served in the US Navy until the mid- to late-1990s...
classes of nuclear-powered cruisers.
The Truxtun class was commissioned with a 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun on the foredeck and a twin-rail Mk 10 Missile Launcher on the quarterdeck, for the RIM-2 Terrier
RIM-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...
The Terrier system was later upgraded to utilizing the RIM-67A 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 in place of the less reliable Terrier missile. The missile depot was located under the helicopter deck and could store 40 RIM-67 Standard
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...
and 20 RUR-5 ASROC
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...
missiles. The class initially used two twin 3"/50 caliber guns, however in 1980 these were replaced with two Harpoon missile launchers. The ASW
Anti-submarine weapon
An anti-submarine weapon is any one of a range of devices that are intended to act against a submarine, and its crew, to destroy the vessel or to destroy or reduce its capability as a weapon of war...
suite of the Truxtun class originally included the un-manned DASH, but in 1971 the hangar was upgraded to LAMPS
Light airborne multi-purpose system
Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System is the United States Navy's program that developed manned helicopters that assist the surface fleet in anti-submarine warfare.*SH-2 Seasprite *SH-60 Seahawk...
Mk. I and the SH-2 Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
helicopter. While the class was not upgraded via 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, 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, and new electronics were installed during overhaul and nuclear refuelling in the mid 1980s.
Ships in class
| Keel laid | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | |
| Truxtun (CGN-35) | 17 June 1963 | 19 December 1964 | 27 May 1967 | 11 September 1995 |
External links
- FAS write-up