The US Navy has announced that it is extending the operational life of three Ticonderoga-class cruisers.

The decision will add 10 years of service to the three Ticonderoga cruisers and follows a similar decision last week to extend the life of 12 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

All three cruisers received extensive engineering upgrades as well as combat system upgrades as part of an extensive modernization program, according to the US Navy statement.

USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and USS Chosin (CG-65) completed modernization in FY 2023 and FY 2024, respectively. USS Cape St. George (CG-71) is scheduled to complete the modernization this fiscal year.

For years, the US Navy has lobbied Congress to allow some Ticonderoga-class cruisers to be decommissioned ahead of schedule, but lawmakers have repeatedly blocked those efforts, citing the need to have as many active ships in the fleet as possible. 

These efforts followed a large and problematic effort to modernize these ships, which already counts 9 years.

Also read: US Navy | Extension of service life of 12 Arleigh Burke destroyers