Exclusive: Aging Guided- Missile Cruiser USS Cape St. George Modernized into One of U.S. Navy’s Most Lethal Warships.

The USS Cape St. George (CG-71), a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser of the U.S. Navy, is undergoing an extensive and highly strategic modernization aimed at extending its operational life and bolstering its combat capabilities. This revitalization effort is a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s broader plan to maintain critical surface combatant capacity amid persistent delays in the deployment of next-generation ships. The Cape St. George’s current upgrade is not just a routine refurbishment—it marks a calculated and pivotal move to ensure continued maritime dominance in a shifting global security landscape.
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The U.S. Navy's Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) sails into the entrance of San Diego Bay on April 22, 2025, marking the completion of its homeport shift from Naval Base Everett, Washington, to Naval Base San Diego. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

Arriving at Naval Base San Diego on April 22, 2025, from Naval Base Everett, Washington, the cruiser’s transition followed a phased modernization period at Vigor Shipyard in Seattle. Initially beginning in June 2021, this modernization initiative is expected to be completed later this year. The program is part of the U.S. Navy’s Cruiser Phased Modernization Plan, and Cape St. George is notably the third and final cruiser to undergo such a transformation. Currently, the vessel is undergoing its Extended Dry-Docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Virginia—a critical phase where the ship is effectively stripped down and rebuilt with cutting-edge capabilities.

The scope of the modernization is vast and ambitious. While specific technical details for Cape St. George remain limited, typical upgrades within the Ticonderoga-class modernization framework are extensive. These include combat systems enhancements such as updates to the Aegis Combat System, integration of the SPQ-9B radar, SM-6 missile capability, and the incorporation of Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air (NIFC-CA) functionalities. These upgrades ensure the ship can participate in highly coordinated, multi-domain warfare environments.

In the domain of anti-submarine warfare, improvements to the SQQ-89A(V)15 sonar suite are expected, including the addition of a multi-function towed array. This significantly improves detection and tracking capabilities in increasingly contested undersea environments. Moreover, the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) is being modified to accommodate a broader array of munitions, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard Missiles (SM-2, SM-3, SM-6), and RUM-139 ASROC anti-submarine rockets. Collectively, these upgrades transform the ship into a modern, lethal platform capable of addressing 21st-century threats across all naval warfare domains.

The modernization also involves comprehensive overhauls of the hull, mechanical, and electrical (HM&E) systems. This includes propulsion systems, electrical distribution, and structural reinforcements to ensure the cruiser remains reliable and mission-capable for another decade. These efforts mirror the work completed on her sister ships—the USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and USS Chosin (CG-65)—which also underwent similar life-extension programs.

Strategically, the decision to invest in legacy platforms such as Cape St. George reflects a pragmatic approach by the U.S. Navy. With the introduction of newer surface combatants like the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers delayed, the Navy aims to preserve force structure and sustain its blue-water capabilities through service life extensions. For Cape St. George and the other two modernized cruisers, this translates to a cumulative 10 years of additional operational availability between fiscal years 2026 and 2029.

This approach also reflects hard-earned lessons from earlier iterations of the cruiser modernization initiative, which were marked by budget overruns and planning challenges. Now, with a more deliberate and structured execution model, the U.S. Navy is reinforcing its readiness and resilience by ensuring these high-value assets remain effective deterrents and power projection platforms.

Commissioned in 1993 and named after the pivotal Battle of Cape St. George in 1943, the cruiser continues to embody naval heritage while transforming into a symbol of future readiness. As the geopolitical environment becomes more volatile, especially in the Indo-Pacific, the USS Cape St. George stands as a testament to the U.S. Navy’s resolve to dominate the seas—not just through new shipbuilding, but through strategic modernization of its existing fleet.