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A Cold War-era veteran, USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) continues to make up a critical component of the United States Navy's surface fleet today. She belongs to the storied line of Ticonderoga-class warships realized through twenty-seven total hulls of which twenty-one remain in active service (2022). The types are classified as guided-missile cruisers and the largest by hull size and displacement of the traditional surface fighting assets behind aircraft carriers. The class was constructed from 1980 to 1994 and commissioned service began in 1983.

For her part in American naval history, USS Bunker Hill was ordered on January 15th, 1982 and laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding on January 11th, 1984. Her hull was launched on March 11th, 1985 and she began commissioned service on September 20th, 1986. She fights under the motto of "Determination, Deterrence", carries the nickname of "Bravo", and has been awarded seven Battle E awards for her time at sea.

The warship is outfitted with 4 x General Electric LM2500 gas turbines driving 2 x Shafts astern. This conventional arrangement provides the vessel with a maximum speed of 32.5 knots in ideal conditions and a range out to 6,000 nautical miles when cruising at 20 knots.

Dimensions include a running length of 567 feet, a beam of 55 feet, and a draught of 34 feet.

Aboard is a crew complement of 30 officers and some 300 enlisted. The ship carries the AN/SPY-1A/B multi-function radar, the AN/SPS-49 air-search radar, and the AN/SPS-73 surface-search radar systems. Active and passive sonars are both accounted for in the design, wrapped up in the AN/SQQ-89(V)1/3 - A(V)15 series sonar suite.

Armament includes a mix of ballistic and missile weaponry. In the former, there are 2 x 5" turreted deck guns (one fore, one aft) leading the way, backed by 2 x 25mm automatic guns, and 2 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs). Extreme point-defense is handled by 2 to 4 x 12.7mm Browning heavy machine guns. However, the heart of the suite is the 61-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) that can house a mix of Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile solutions - giving the warship extreme survival possibilities beyond line-of-sight. It can also participate in amphibious support operations by way of its land-attack missiles, hitting targets well inland from the relative safety of the sea.2 x 324mm Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes give the ship a capability against enemy submarines as well as surface warships. Also carried for anti-ship operations are 2 x 4-cell "Harpoon" missile launchers over the stern.

Beyond this a pair of Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters are carried for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role. These can also be called upon for anti-ship sorties as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) operations as needed. A flight deck and full-service hangar bay are both provided. Unlike modern warships, the flight deck and hangar on Bunker Hill are placed forward of the stern section.©MilitaryFactory.com

The vessel's structure is of Cold War origin so it lacks the clean, smooth lines common to "stealth" warships seen today. The forecastle is generally clean leading to the slab-sided bridge section of the hull superstructure. The mastworks are all skeletal and not enclosed. The smoke funnels are, however, of a low-profile design. The rear of the ship uses a stepped approach leading out to the extreme edge of the stern. Overall, these warships certainly show their age and Cold War roots but their firepower and capabilities keep them viable on today's battlefield.

Beginning commissioned service in the late-1980s, Bunker Hill was able to participate in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm as part of the Persian Gulf commitments of 1990-1991. She became one of the first vessels to engage with Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraqi land targets when the war officially began and proved her ability to operate in an actual warzone. After the Iraqi removal from Kuwait and overall defeat, Bunker Hill remained on station as part of the United Nation's no-fly-zone enforcement through Operation Southern Watch. In March of 2003, she once-again opened her Tomahawk missile tubes against Iraq with the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The warship recorded 31 total missile firings for her part in the war.

Her AEGIS combat system was upgraded in 2006 and, in 2007, she was sent to Somali waters to undertake anti-piracy actions. In 2010, she assisted in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. From 2011 until 2012, she underwent refit in San Diego waters. In late 2020, it was determined that the warship had far exceeded her use and is now planned for reserve status sometime in 2023 and to be decommissioned thereafter.

To succeed the design, the USN sees a new generation of guided-missile frigates (FFG) set to come online for the service in the near future. These will be led by USS Constellation (FFG-62) and be joined by USS Congress and USS Chesapeake.©MilitaryFactory.com

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