USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)

• First of Her Class: USS Ticonderoga (CG-47) was the lead ship of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, marking a significant evolution in U.S. Navy surface combatants. • Commissioned in 1983: The ship was commissioned on 22 January 1983, bringing the revolutionary Aegis Combat System to operational status. • Aegis Pioneer: Ticonderoga was the first warship equipped with the Aegis radar system, capable of tracking and engaging multiple airborne threats simultaneously. • Named After Historic Battles: The ship was named for two significant battles at Fort Ticonderoga during the 18th-century colonial conflicts. • Flagship Role: USS Ticonderoga often served as a flagship for various fleet and task force commanders due to her advanced command and control capabilities. • Gulf War Service: During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990–1991), she served in the Persian Gulf, providing air defense and command support. • Collision Incident: In 1988, Ticonderoga collided with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during nighttime operations, causing minor damage but no fatalities. • Longest Serving Cruiser of Her Class: She remained in active service until 2004, giving her more than 20 years as a frontline warship. • Early Decommissioning: Despite her advanced systems, Ticonderoga was decommissioned relatively early (September 2004) due to the limitations of her original hull design, which was based on the Spruance-class destroyer. • Legacy and Preservation: Although she was not preserved as a museum, many of her systems and design concepts continue to influence modern U.S. Navy warships.