Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

IMHO one of the best looking warships of the '70's era.
USS Texas pictured on sea trials on June 19th 1977.
USS Texas (DLGN/CGN-39) was the second Virginia Class Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser. Her keel was laid down on August 18th 1973, at Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company. She was initially designated a Guided Missile Destroyer Leader (DLGN), but was reclassified as a Guided Missile Cruiser and given the hull classification symbol CGN-39 on June 30th 1975, as part of the Navy's ship reclassification plan. She was launched on August 9th 1975, and commissioned on September 10th 1977.

Virginia Class Nuclear Powered Guided Missile Cruiser USS Mississippi pictured running trials in Chesapeake Bay,June 27th 1978.

Virginia Class,Nuclear powered Guided Missile Cruiser USS Arkansas pictured from USS Enterprise,Pacific Ocean,April 9th 1986.....IMHO these beautiful ships were scrapped way too early.

They were scrapped to soon, but the co$t of updating them was, no doubt, deemed way to high. Not only mid-life expense of nuke overhaul, but changing to VLS and new electronic$................OWCH. Even for the US taxpayer's "BOTTOMLE$$" wallet the money required to do all of that. DFO

Virginia Class Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser USS Texas pictured on sea trials on June 19th 1977.