The Leahy-class were "double-end" guided missile Guided Missile Destroyer Leader [DLG], which as with other similar ships were reclassified as Guide Missile Cruisers [CG] on 30 June 1975. The class was given an AAW upgrade during the late-1960's and early 1970's, with Terrier launchers modified to fire Terrier or Standard SM-1ER missiles. The 3"/50 guns were replaced by 8 Harpoon missiles, the Terrier launchers were upgraded to fire the Standard SM-2ER missile, and 2 Phalanx CIWS were added. All were upgraded under the late-1980's New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program, which included combat system capability improvements to the ship's Air Search Radars (SPS-48E and SPS-49), Fire Control Radars (SPG-55B), and Combat Direction System (CDS). These improvements provided an accurate means of coordinating the engagment of multiple air targets with SM-2 Extended Range missiles. During the NTU overhaul, all spaces were renovated, berthing and food service areas were refurbished, and the engineering plant was fully overhauled.
The entire class was taken out of service in the early 1990's, stricken and transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal.
Specifications | |
| Displacement | 7,800 tons (full load) |
| Length | 533 feet; |
| Beam | 55 feet |
| Max Speed | 33 knots |
| Power Plant | 4 - 1200 psi boilers; 2 geared turbines 2 shafts 85,000 shaft horsepower |
| Aircraft | None - VERTREP hover areas only |
| Armament |
Standard Missiles (ER) ASROC (from MK 16 box launcher) 8 - Harpoon (from two quad launchers) 6 - MK 46 torpedoes (from 2 triple tube mounts) 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Combat Systems |
SPS-48 3D Air Search Radar SPS-49 Air Search Radar SPS-10 Surface Search Radar or SPS-67 Surface Search Radar SQQ-23 Sonar 1 Mk14 Weapon Direction System 4 Mk76 Missile Fire Control System 1 Mk111 ASW Fire Control System 4 SPG-55 Radars SLQ-25 NIXIE [Mk 6 FANFARE on CG-17] SLQ-32 EW system |
| Complement | 455 (27 officer, 428 enlisted) |
Ships | ||||||
| Name | Number | Builder | Homeport | Ordered | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
| Leahy | CG 16 | Bath | San Diego | 1959 | 04 Aug 1962 | 01 Oct 1993 |
| Harry E. Yarnell | CG 17 | Bath | Norfolk | 1960 | 02 Feb 1963 | 29 Oct 1993 |
| Worden | CG 18 | Bath | Pearl Harbor | 1960 | 03 Aug 1963 | 01 Oct 1993 |
| Dale | CG 19 | New York SB | Mayport | 1960 | 23 Nov 1963 | 27 Sep 1994 |
| Richmond K. Turner | CG 20 | New York SB | Pascagoula | 1960 | 13 Jun 1964 | 13 Apr 1995 |
| Gridley | CG 21 | Puget Sound NSY | San Diego | 1960 | 25 May 1963 | 21 Jan 1994 |
| England | CG 22 | Todd | San Diego | 1960 | 07 Dec 1963 | 21 Jan 1994 |
| Halsey | CG 23 | San Francisco NSY | San Diego | 1960 | 20 Jul 1963 | 28 Jan 1994 |
| Reeves | CG 24 | Puget Sound NSY | Yokosuka | 1960 | 15 May 1964 | 12 Nov 1993 |
