USS Robert Smalls (CG-62)

USS Robert Smalls (CG-62)

USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser that forms a vital component of the U.S. Navy’s surface combatant fleet. Commissioned in November 1989, she combines powerful Aegis combat systems, multi-mission weaponry, and robust propulsion to conduct air defense, surface warfare, and undersea operations worldwide.

History and Renaming

Namesake

Robert Smalls was an African-American civil war hero who commandeered a Confederate transport ship to freedom and later served in the U.S. Congress. In March 2023, the Navy renamed CG-62 in his honor, replacing her former designation as USS Chancellorsville to reflect national values of courage and equality.

Commissioning and Renaming

• Ordered: 26 November 1984
• Laid down: 24 June 1987 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi
• Launched: 15 July 1988 and christened on 23 July 1988
• Commissioned: 4 November 1989 into active service with the U.S. Pacific Fleet
• Renamed: USS Robert Smalls on 1 March 2023, with her homeport at Yokosuka, Japan

Design and Construction

Keel Laying and Launch

The ship’s keel was laid in mid-1987, initiating hull fabrication with high-strength steel modules. Her launch in July 1988 transitioned work focus to systems integration, including the installation of Aegis radar arrays and missile launchers.

Shipbuilder and Outfitting

Constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding under General Dynamics, CG-62 underwent outfitting periods to incorporate:

• Aegis Weapon System
• Mk 41 Vertical Launching System
• Sonar and torpedo launch facilities
• Combat information center and communication suites

Outfitting concluded with builder’s trials before Navy acceptance and commissioning.

Dimensions and Structure

Hull Form and Materials

Her hull extends 567 ft in a flared bow design, tapering aft in a cruiser-style profile for improved sea-keeping. Steel construction with an aluminum superstructure balances durability with weight savings, while vibration dampeners reduce acoustic signature.

Displacement

Her draft of roughly 34 ft supports operations in deep and littoral waters.

Propulsion and Performance

USS Robert Smalls uses a four-gas-turbine arrangement driving two controllable-pitch propellers. General Electric LM2500 engines deliver over 100,000 shaft horsepower, propelling the cruiser to speeds exceeding 30 knots. Fuel efficiency and large bunkerage enable extended deployments without frequent refueling stops.

Sensor and Electronic Suite

Radar Systems

• AN/SPY-1A/B Aegis multifunction radar for simultaneous track of hundreds of targets
• Secondary air/surface search radars (AN/SPS-49, AN/SPS-73)
• Fire-control radars (AN/SPG-62, AN/SPQ-9) integrate weapon assignment and engagement zones

Sonar and Undersea Sensors

• Hull-mounted active SONAR AN/SQS-53B/C/D
• Towed passive array AN/SQR-19 for long-range submarine detection
• Integration with AN/SQQ-89 combat system for undersea warfare coordination

Navigation and Communication

An inertial navigation system augmented by GPS ensures precise positioning. Secure satellite and ultra-high frequency links maintain command channels with fleet and national authorities.

Armament

Vertical Launch System

USS Robert Smalls features two Mk 41 VLS with 61 cells each, for a total of 122 cells. Load-outs typically include:

• Standard SM-2MR and SM-2ER surface-to-air missiles
• Tomahawk cruise missiles for land attack
• ESSM for point-defense
• SM-3 interceptors for ballistic missile defense
• VL-ASROC for anti-submarine strikes

Gun and Close-In Defense

• One 5 in/62 cal Mk 45 Mod 4 lightweight naval gun for surface and shore bombardment
• Two Phalanx CIWS Block 1B for last-ditch missile defense
• Mk 38 25 mm cannon mounts and .50 cal machine guns for small craft threats

Anti-Ship and Torpedo Warfare

• Eight RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
• Two triple Mk 32 torpedo tubes for Mk 46/Mk 54 lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes

Aviation Facilities

Aft flight deck and hangar accommodate two MH-60R Seahawk LAMPS MkIII helicopters. These air assets extend the ship’s anti-submarine, surface surveillance, and search-and-rescue reach beyond horizon limits.

Crew and Accommodations

USS Robert Smalls carries approximately 330 personnel, including 30 officers and 300 enlisted. Living quarters include:

• Staterooms and berthing spaces
• Combined galley and mess facilities
• Medical bay and dental suite
• Fitness area
• Climate-controlled ventilation and LED lighting for habitability

Her complement supports sustained operations during global deployments.

Operational Role and Deployments

Forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, CG-62 integrates into Carrier Strike Group 5. Her primary missions span:

• Area air defense for carrier and amphibious groups
• Precision strike with Tomahawk missiles against land targets
• Anti-submarine patrol with embarked helicopters and ASROC
• Ballistic missile defense exercises with SM-3 interceptors
• Maritime security and freedom-of-navigation operations

Frequent participation in multinational exercises cements interoperability with allied navies.

Modernization and Upgrades

Aegis Modernization

Under Aegis Modernization Programs (e.g., Baseline 9), USS Robert Smalls received software and hardware enhancements for improved radar signal processing, integrated air and missile defense, and enhanced data links.

Habitability and Support

Refits have introduced:

• Upgraded damage control systems
• Improved galley automation
• Enhanced crew berthing modules
• Next-generation navigation and bridge electronics

These upgrades ensure CG-62 remains at the forefront of multi-threat maritime warfare.

Conclusion

USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) epitomizes modern surface warfare capabilities, balancing firepower, sensor integration, and endurance. Her Aegis combat system and diverse armament enable rapid response across air, surface, and sub-surface domains. As a forward-deployed asset in the Indo-Pacific, she continues to project U.S. naval power, support joint operations, and honor the legacy of her heroic namesake.