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From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: CGN/DLGN Classification
Message-ID: <1991May16.052650.17421@amd.com>
Date: 15 May 91 12:05:31 GMT
References: <1991May15.060811.2974@amd.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: David Taylor Research Center, Bethesda, MD
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Approved: military@amd.com


From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)


>According to my sources this reclassification took place in June 1975.
>Also the following classes where also changed:

>Old Class         New Class
>--------------------------------
>CVN                CVAN
>CV                 CVA
>CGN                (CLGN/DLGN)
>CG                 (DLG)
>FFG                (DEG)
>FF                 (DE)

Looks like you got your classes mixed up.  These classifications under
Old Class are actually New Class, and vice versa.

>D(G)= Destroyer escort (guided)
>(CLGN/DLGN) = Destroyer Long Range Guided Nuclear

>An example how this change affected the various classes. USS Belknap,
>were orginally "Frigate" but are now "Crusiers".

Correction: USS Belknap used to be classified as DLG 26 (Light Guided
Missile Destroyer) in the FY 1961 program; she was reclassified as CG 
26 (Guided Missile Cruiser) on 30 June 1975.

>So up until 1975, the US Navy had nuclear destroyers.

>The US had five DLGNs.
> CGN 36(Ex-DLGN) California
> CGN 37(Ex-DLGN) South Carolina
> CGN 35(Ex-DLGN) Truxtun
> CGN 25(Ex-DLGN) Bainbridge

Correct.  All reclassified on 30 June 1975.

> CGN 9 (Ex-DLGN) Long Beach

Correction: Long Beach (CLGN 160) (Light Guided Missile Cruiser) was
ordered on 15 October 1956; reclassified as guided missile cruiser (CGN 
160) early in 1957 and renumbered (CGN 9) on 1 July 1957.

>Now I have question. I know why the CVAN/CVAs where reclassified, but
>the DLGN, what the motivation?

Two Nimitz class carriers (USS Nimitz and USS Eisenhower) were ordered 
as attack aircraft carriers (CVAN); they were reclassified as CVN on
30 June 1975.  They were refitted with A/S control center and facilities
for A/S aircraft and helicopters for their new multi-mission role
(attack/ASW).  Subsequent Nimitz class carriers are fitted similarly.

As for the reclassification of DLGN as CGN, my best bet is that the 
new classification best describes the ship's functions.

Sources: Jane's Fighting Ships 1974-75, 85-86, 90-91.