Belknap-class (CG-26)

The Belknap class consisted of nine guided missile cruisers built for the United States Navy between 1962 and 1967. Bath Iron Works, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Todd Shipyards, and New York Shipbuilding performed the construction. Originally designated as destroyer leaders (DLG), the vessels were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG) during the 1975 fleet realignment. The class succeeded the Leahy class and was followed by the California class. A nuclear-powered derivative, the Truxtun class, was constructed as a subclass.

These vessels utilized a single-ended configuration, with missile armament installed forward and gun armament positioned aft. Propulsion was provided by geared steam turbines and boilers driving two shafts. The initial main armament consisted of a Mk 10 Mod 7 launcher on the foredeck and a Mk 42 gun on the quarterdeck. This launcher was configured to fire both Terrier and ASROC missiles, eliminating the requirement for a separate ASROC launcher. Secondary defense originally included 3-inch guns. Sensor systems included surface search, 2D and 3D air search radars, fire control radars, and sonar.

During service, the class underwent weapon system modifications. In the early 1980s, Standard missiles replaced the Terrier missiles. During the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the ships were updated to utilize SM-2ER Block II missiles. The 3-inch guns were replaced with Harpoon surface-to-surface missile launchers and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems. For anti-submarine warfare, the vessels were equipped with torpedo launchers and a Seasprite helicopter.

The nine vessels entered commission between 1964 and 1967. They remained in active service through the mid-1990s, with decommissioning dates ranging from 1993 to 1995. Following retirement, five vessels were sunk as targets during exercises. The remaining ships were broken up for scrap or, in the case of the nuclear-powered Truxtun, processed through the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.