USS Mississippi
Displ: 10,000 tons full load
Dim: 585 x 61 x 29.5 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 2 D2G reactors, 60,000 hp, 2 shafts, 30+ knots
Crew: 570-630
Arm: 2 twin Standard SM-1MR (68 missiles total), 2 5/54, 6 12.75 inch TT, 1 helo
Armor: none

Modified California design, class was intended for mass production.
Became CGNs 30 June 1975 as part of the Cruiser/Frigate realignment.
Construction was cancelled in favor of the CSGN, which was later
cancelled. Proposal to complete Arkansas with Aegis and/or backfit the class with Aegis was cancelled. Standard SM-1MR launchers upgraded to fire Standard SM-2MR, 8 Harpoon missiles added, 2 Tomahawk ABLs added, 2 Phalanx CIWS added, helicopter facility removed. Most updated in the late 1980's, but did not receive NTU. Class was decommissioned instead of receiving midlife overhauls (RCOHs had been scheduled but were cancelled).

DLGN 40/CGN 40 Mississippi
Built by Newport News. Laid down 22 Feb 1975, launched 31 July 1976, commissioned 5 Aug 1978. Deactivated 6 Sept 1996, decommissioned
and stricken 28 July 1997. Hulk stored at Puget Sound Navy Yard pending scrapping.


USS South Carolina
Displ: 10,150 tons full load
Dim: 596 x 61 x 29.5 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 2 D2G reactors, 60,000 hp, 2 shafts, 30+ knots
Crew: ~640
Arm: 2 single Tartar (80 missiles total), 1 ASROC, 2 5/54, 4 12.75 inch TT
Armor: none
Prototypes for mass-production nuclear powered escorts. Became CGNs 30 June 1975 as part of the Cruiser/Frigate realignment. Tartar launchers upgraded to fire Standard SM-2MR, 8 Harpoon missiles added, 2 Phalanx CIWS added, ASROC removed. Both were refuelled and received NTU, but were decommissioned in 1998 due to their high operating costs.

DLGN 37/CGN 37 South Carolina
Built by Newport News. Laid down 1 Dec 1970, launched 1 July 1972,
commissioned 25 Jan 1975. Refuelled at Norfolk Navy 1992-1993. Deactivated 4 September 1998, to In Commission, In Resserve
1 October 1998, stripped at Norfolk Navy, decommissioned and stricken
30 July 1999. To be scrapped.


This photograph was take at Puget Sound Navy Shipyard, May, 2003.