5. Cruiser of the Ticonderoga class
Joined the Service in 1983
Producers: Galells Shipbuilding and Bath Iron Works
Price: *$1 billion
The 1980s-commissioned Ticonderoga-class cruiser is proof of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a strong and adaptable naval presence. These cruisers are essential air defense assets because they are outfitted with the potent Aegis Combat System, which can repel ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and aircraft.
Ticonderoga-class Cruiser ©Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyler R. Fraser/Wikimedia Commons
With 122 vertical launch system cells, they can unleash a mix of surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk ground assault missiles, and anti-submarine weapons. Besides their increased weaponry, these cruisers possess modern radar systems, allowing them to identify and track several threats simultaneously. Although aging, the Ticonderoga-class remains crucial in multi-threat environments, securing the seas and supporting joint operations worldwide.
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