Congressman Says Wrong Time to Dry Dock Cruisers

Lawmakers overseeing the nation's sea service believe that the U.S. Navy's plans to pull half of its cruiser fleet out of commission for expensive upgrades will send these critical missile boats to an early grave.

Currently, the Navy has 22 missile cruisers that serve as key players in the air defense of the service's aircraft carrier groups. These cruisers provide ballistic missile defense but also serve as the command and control ship for larger, guided missile destroyers, Navy officials said.

Navy leaders, testifying Thursday before the House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, told lawmakers that the service can extend the service life of 11 of its cruisers beyond 2035 through its proposed phased modernization plan.

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