Whiffing a Ticonderoga, pt II

[SigfanUSAF]

In the late 70s, as the last of the US Navys half-CL/half-CG cruisers were being decommissioned, the Navy suddenly realized a need for gunfire support. With the success of the Spruance/Tico hull design (and soon the Kidds too), it was decided to complete 6 "all gun" light cruisers. This example is CL-163, is the USS Stones River.

The original plan for 6 was of course halved to three with Carter in office, so only CL-161 USS New Madrid, CL-162 USS Westport & CL-163 USS Stones River were completed. The numbering follows the traditional USN roster, the USS Long Beach was actually originally designated CGN-160. And in keeping with battles of the US history, I chose 3 smaller yet relatively important Union victories from the Civil War to name these three ships.

The original armament consisted of 6 5"/54 caliber guns, with plans to upgrade to the 8"/55 mk71 when they became available. Obviously the 8" lightweight gun project failed and was terminated ca 1979/80, so the cruisers retained the 5"/54s. With the New Madrids overhaul in 1984 she received 2 quad harpoon canisters between the stacks; 2 Tomahawk ABLs on the aft superstructure; and 2 Mk15 Phalanx CIWS, 1 on either side of the aft superstructure. The other 2 ships received the same upgrades. None of the 3 were ever intended to land a helo, and retain the 2 VERTREP positions as the Tico/Spruance designs.

Oh, and do excuse the 4 5"/38s, they're on loan from a Fletcher until I can secure 4 more 5"54s.

[Go4fun]

I like it.

[kerick]

Some 8" guns would look great.  Nice job here.

[Joe C-P]

Instead of the failed 8", there were proposed 6" guns, including a model where the barrel went vertical to load.
There do need to be a pair of Phalanx. Other than that, a design that the Marines would have appreciated.

[The Bushranger]

Very nifty! I like the idea. Perhaps there might be a Sea Sparrow box aft for point defense?

[pyro-manic]

Interesting! I would agree that there does need to be some sort of defensive missile - a Sea Sparrow/ESSM or RAM box-launcher would be appropriate. Between the ABLs and "X" turret (I forget the USN term, sorry) looks to be a prime spot? Also, what about twin turrets? The six singles take up an awful lot of deck space (and internal volume), and twin turrets (say, two forward and one aft) would allow for other equipment - more ABLs/Harpoons, a helipad, etc.

[SigfanUSAF]

She's getting a pair of CIWS, on either side of the rear funnel. I agree twin 5" would be cool, and even experimented with using surplus 5"/38 turrets from scrapped cruisers, but opted to keep the 5" singles after the failed MCLWG program.

The Stones River is shown ca 1989 with the USS Maddox FF731 and a 150' tug. The Maddox is one of a handful of Sumner destroyers selected for the FRAM III upgrade circa 1972 (my "alternate universe" has a Cold War going hot on occasion, thus the need for a massive navy)

The FRAM III Frigate conversion, or "SuperFRAM", upgraded the WWII destroyers to roughly the equivalent of a Garcia class FF. The exception is these were fully equipped to handle LAMPS helos.

[RussC]

WIP's of Ships. Thanks for these creative updates. 

[NARSES2]

This is a terrific collection