US Navy unveils plans to operate Ticonderoga-class cruiser trio beyond expected service life

The US Navy has revealed its plans to operate three Ticonderoga-class (CG 47) cruisers beyond their expected service life.

As disclosed, the vessels in question are USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Chosin (CG 65), and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). This decision will add 10 years of cumulative ship service life from fiscal year 2026 to 2029.

All three cruisers received extensive hull, mechanical and engineering, as well as combat system upgrades as part of an extended modernization program. USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Chosin (CG 65) completed modernization in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024, respectively. USS Cape St. George (CG 71) is on schedule to complete modernization this fiscal year.  

Like the recently announced service life extension of 12 destroyers, extending these three cruisers is expected to bolster the fleet as new ships are built.  

The decision follows a successful re-arm at sea demonstration aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) on Oct. 11, 2024.  

The Transferrable Reload At-sea Mechanism (TRAM) demonstration was the first time the Navy transferred missile canisters from a replenishment ship to a warship while at sea.  This transformational logistics capability enables U.S. Navy ships to rearm without needing to pull into port, the officials noted.