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Virginia-class cruiser
Photo: PH3 Maxwell, USN · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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Virginia-classcruiser

Cruisers · United States · 1974
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Virginia-classcruiser

Virginia-class cruiser
Virginia-class cruiser Photo: PH3 Maxwell, USN · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
85
Air Defence
80
Multi-Role Capability
88
Sensors
75
Survivability
82
Endurance
95
Command Capability
85
Aviation
60
Strategic Impact
70
Cost-Effectiveness
55
Origin United States
CategoryCruisers
EraCold War
In service1974–1980
Operators1 countries
Quantity4
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
80
Cruisers MASS Rating
6/11
Cold War
6/292
All-Time
Cruisers · 10 axes scored
Firepower
85
Air Defence
80
Multi-Role Capability
88
Sensors
75
Survivability
82
Endurance
95
Command Capability
85
Aviation
60
Strategic Impact
70
Cost-Effectiveness
55
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the cruisers category.
01 / Overview
Virginia-class cruiser
Category
Production
1974–1980
Quantity
4
Unit Price (current)
$1.7B↗ 146% inflation · 1990→2025
Original Price
$675.0M (1990)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
CRUISERS · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$1.7B
Original: $675.0M (1990)
Inflation: +%146
80
cruisers category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the cruisers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎Identification8MOD.8
  • Hull ClassificationCGN
  • Ship TypeNuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser
  • Builder / ShipyardNewport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
  • Laid Down1972
  • Launched1974
  • Commissioned1976
  • Ships in Class4
  • In ServiceNo
◈Displacement2MOD.2
  • Light Displacement10,880 t
  • Full Load Displacement10,833.608 t
▣Dimensions3MOD.3
  • Length (overall)178.6 m
  • Beam19.2 m
  • Draft9.75 m
◇Complement1MOD.1
  • Total Complement579
◆Propulsion8MOD.8
  • PropulsionNuclear
  • Arrangement (CODAG/COGAG…)2 D2G nuclear reactors, two shafts
  • Number of Engines2
  • Shaft Power44,760 kW
  • Shafts / Screws2
  • Top Speed30 kn
  • Range0
  • Nuclear-PoweredYes
▤Gun Armament5MOD.5
  • Main Gun2 × 5-inch/54 caliber Mark 45 guns
  • Main Gun Calibre127 mm
  • Main Gun Count2
  • Secondary Guns2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS, 2 × 25 mm Mk 38 chain guns, 6 × .50 cal M2 machine guns
  • CIWS2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
⬢Missile Armament6MOD.6
▲Underwater Warfare4MOD.4
◎Aviation5MOD.5
◈Sensors & Combat Systems7MOD.7
  • Air-Search RadarAN/SPS-48E 3-D, AN/SPS-49 2-D
  • Surface / Fire-Control RadarAN/SPS-55, AN/SPQ-9A, AN/SPG-60, AN/SPG-51
  • Phased-Array RadarNo
  • Combat SystemMk 26 missile launchers, Tomahawk, ASROC, Harpoon
  • Aegis / EquivalentNo
  • Electronic WarfareYes
  • Decoy LaunchersMark 36 SRBOC, AN/SLQ-25 Nixie
▣Survivability5MOD.5
◇Fleet Status2MOD.2
  • Completed4
  • Retired4
◆Armour3MOD.3
  • Armour1 mm Kevlar around CIC, magazines, machinery spaces
  • Belt Armour0 mm
  • Deck Armour25.4 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1974Production started
  2. 1980Production ended
52
years in service
6
years in production
4
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE12terms
Anti-Submarine Warfare. Capability to detect, track, and engage submarines.
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rocket or missile: a weapon system used to detect and engage underwater targets, typically deployed from aircraft.
Automated Damage Control is a shipboard system that detects, assesses, and mitigates combat damage on aircraft carriers using sensors and software to enhance response speed and reduce crew workload.
A defensive system on fleet aircraft carriers designed to detect, protect against, and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
A technique to reduce a ship's magnetic signature by neutralizing its internal magnetic field, minimizing vulnerability to magnetic mines or detection.
Military action involving the use of electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt, deceive, or destroy enemy electronic systems.
The upper deck of an aircraft carrier, equipped for aircraft takeoff, landing, and maintenance operations.
Sonar system installed on the hull of a ship, used for underwater detection and navigation by emitting and receiving sound waves.
Cruise missiles designed to strike land targets from naval platforms, typically launched from ships or submarines.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Propulsion system using nuclear reactors to generate power.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Cruisers entry →