Belknap-class cruiser
The Belknap-class cruiser was a class of single-ended guided-missile cruisers built for the United States Navy during the 1960s. They were originally designated as DLG frigates, but in the United States Navy [1975 ship reclassification|1975 fleet realignment], they were reclassified as guided missile cruisers.
Description
When commissioned, the main armament of the Belknap class was a 5-inch/54-caliber Mk. 42 gun on the quarterdeck and a twin-rail RIM-2 Terrier Mk [10 Missile Launcher] on the foredeck. The Mk 10 Mod 7 launchers in this class were also capable of launching RUR-5 ASROC to eliminate need for a separate Mk 112 ASROC launcher. These were unofficially spoken of as Ter/AS launchers. The class was also equipped with two single 3"/50 caliber guns for defence against sub-sonic aircraft. In the early 1980s, the Terrier missiles were replaced with RIM-67 Standard missiles; and during the NTU program in the late 1980s and early 1990s the class had its Standard SM-1 system upgraded to utilize SM-2ER Block II, the 3-inch guns were replaced with two 4 cell Harpoon Surface-to-surface missile launchers, and two Phalanx CIWS systems were installed.The derivative USS Truxtun shared the weapons systems outfit of the Belknap class, but was Nuclear [marine propulsion|nuclear-powered], larger and substantially unrelated in design. Most information related to nuclear cruisers is still classified, but Truxtun appears to be more a Belknap-like derivative of the nuclear cruiser Bainbridge than the other way around.