The U.S. Navy is updating a class of guided-missile cruisers which the service uses for surface, anti-submarine and ballistic missile defense missions, DoD Buzz reported Tuesday.
Kris Osborn writes the Ticonderoga-class warships are equipped with the Aegis system, which utilizes radar technology designed to guide the Standard Missile-3 interceptor.
Lt. Kurt Larson, a spokesman for Naval Sea Systems Command, said the branch has finished updates to eight of its existing 22 cruisers.
He added the modernization project costs up to $250 million per ship and aims to extend the fleet’s lifespan to approximately 35 years.
Upgrades cover the SPQ-9B radar, the MK 160 gun computing system and the SQQ-89A(V)15 sonar suite, according to the Navy website.
Osborn reports the team is also incorporating the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile into the cruiser’s vertical launch system.
