The Last Line of Defense: How Many Guided Missile Cruisers Does the U.S. Navy Have?

The USS Chancellorsville was cornered. It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. With enemy submarines tracking it and fighter jets locked in, the crew was ready for what they feared might be their final stand. But the guided missile cruiser held its ground. This is the reality of a U.S. Navy cruiser—designed to withstand the worst and strike back even harder. Today, the U.S. Navy's guided missile cruisers remain among the most formidable assets on the seas.

As of 2024, the U.S. Navy operates 17 active guided missile cruisers, all belonging to the Ticonderoga class. These warships have played an essential role in maintaining the balance of global naval power and defending U.S. interests worldwide. They are key players in carrier strike groups, missile defense missions, and anti-submarine warfare operations. Each of these vessels comes armed with the Aegis Combat System, which makes them particularly deadly in defending against incoming missile attacks.

But that number is dwindling.

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy had envisioned a fleet of nearly 30 guided missile cruisers. However, over time, many of these ships were retired, and today, the Navy is gradually phasing them out, with the plan to decommission the Ticonderoga class entirely by the 2030s. New technologies, like the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and the upcoming DDG(X) warships, are intended to replace the aging cruisers. But for now, the remaining Ticonderoga-class vessels are still critical components in the U.S. Navy's strategy.

So, why is the U.S. Navy letting go of these powerful ships?

It all comes down to age and cost. The Ticonderoga class, introduced in the early 1980s, was cutting-edge at the time, but maintaining these ships has become increasingly expensive. Each cruiser costs tens of millions of dollars per year just to keep operational. Moreover, technological advances have rendered many of their systems obsolete compared to newer destroyers, which offer the same missile capabilities with fewer resources.

This leads to an important question: What happens when the last cruiser is decommissioned?

The answer is not as simple as one might think. Some argue that the guided missile cruiser will always have a place in modern naval warfare. After all, the Ticonderoga-class ships are multi-mission platforms, capable of performing a range of tasks, from anti-air warfare to long-range strike missions. However, others suggest that the role of the cruiser has been surpassed by more versatile and efficient platforms like destroyers and littoral combat ships (LCS).

In fact, the guided missile cruiser was originally designed to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. With the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of modern asymmetric warfare, some military strategists believe that the role of these large warships is increasingly redundant.

However, the U.S. Navy still values these ships for one critical reason: their ability to act as command ships in carrier strike groups. Cruisers are uniquely capable of handling the advanced coordination required to defend aircraft carriers, the centerpiece of U.S. naval power, from air, surface, and submarine threats.

This isn’t just about ships and missiles—it’s about geopolitics.

The presence of U.S. Navy cruisers in regions like the South China Sea and the Persian Gulf sends a message. These vessels serve as visible symbols of American military power, and they are often deployed to high-tension areas as part of freedom of navigation operations or to bolster alliances. Every time a cruiser sails through contested waters, it serves as a reminder of the U.S.’s strategic reach and commitment to protecting its interests and those of its allies.

But here's the real twist: Despite the phase-out, these cruisers will likely continue to play a role in U.S. naval operations for years to come. With emerging technologies like directed energy weapons and advanced missile defense systems being tested, there's a strong argument that the last guided missile cruiser hasn't seen its final battle yet.

Could we see a renaissance in cruiser technology? It’s not entirely off the table. Naval warfare is evolving rapidly, and as new threats emerge, the U.S. may find itself reconsidering the guided missile cruiser. The U.S. Navy is already exploring new types of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and robotic ship escorts—but the human presence on a battle-hardened cruiser remains a unique asset.

For now, the future of the U.S. Navy’s guided missile cruisers remains uncertain. What’s clear is that their legacy is undeniable, and their impact on modern naval warfare cannot be overstated. Whether through their continued use or eventual replacement, these ships will leave a lasting mark on military history.

In the end, it's not just about the number of cruisers the U.S. has today—it’s about what they represent: power, resilience, and the ability to adapt in an ever-changing world.