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USS Bunker Hill Completes Critical Quals

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090731-13
Release Date: 7/31/2009 2:44:00 PM

From Team Ships Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the first of 22 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers to undergo an extensive capability upgrade as part of the Cruiser Modernization Program, completed Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) July 29 off the coast of Southern California.

The trials were held to verify that the combat systems have been correctly installed and are operable and maintainable in a safe and effective manner.

CSSQT consists of a combination of in-port and at-sea tests and evaluations of the ship's air defense, undersea warfare and surface warfare capabilities and included Standard missile and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile firings.

"Because Bunker Hill is the first cruiser to receive the entire suite of upgrades, this was a crucial milestone," said Capt. Robin Russell, program manager of the surface combatants program office in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Surface Warfare Directorate (SEA 21).

"The ship and her crew performed all of the scheduled trials successfully, and we're one giant step closer to getting her back to the fleet."

Bunker Hill's combat system was modernized with Aegis Advanced Capability Build (ACB) 08, which is a critical first step in evolving the Aegis Weapons System into an Open Architecture system. The Navy will continue the evolution of the Open Architecture principle with ACB 12/14 to enable future combat system growth over the life of the class, as well as mission expansion, such as ballistic missile defense.

Although Bunker Hill is the oldest of the in-service Ticonderoga-class cruisers, her recently installed combat systems give the ship the same combat capabilities of the newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

During the next several years, NAVSEA will manage the structured modernization of 22 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and 62 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to ensure they reach their projected 30-year service life. The ships will be fitted with new software, combat systems, hull, mechanical and electric and machinery upgrades to improve all areas of ship functionality. Destroyer modernization will begin in 2010. It will mark the first time a ship program has begun a major modernization program while the remaining ships of the class are still being constructed.

SEA 21 manages the lifecycle support for all non-nuclear surface ships and is the principle interface with the Surface Warfare Enterprise. The directorate is responsible for the maintenance and modernization of non-nuclear surface ships currently operating in the fleet.

Through planned modernization and upgrade programs, SEA 21 will equip today's surface ships with the latest technologies and systems to keep them in the fleet though their service lives. Additionally, SEA 21 oversees the ship inactivation process, including transfers or sales to friendly foreign navies, inactivation or disposal.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.