Prior to the California-class cruisers, the Navy relied on its Belknap-class predecessors. These singe-ended guided-missile cruisers were originally developed by the 1960’s.

The Virginia class cruisers were designed to carry one LAMPS helicopter aft. This unique arrangement was an enhancement over the preceding California-class, which only possessed a landing pad aft ...

Some cruisers, like the California class, were nuclear powered, ensuring they could keep up with nuclear-powered carriers. As the Cold War ended and the threat shifted to rogue states armed with ...