The USS Gettysburg (CG-64) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the United States Navy, constructed by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Laid down on August 17, 1988, and launched on July 22, 1989, she was commissioned on June 22, 1991. Named after the pivotal Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, this vessel features the advanced Aegis combat system and is designed for multi-mission capabilities including air defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine operations. Measuring approximately 567 feet in length with a beam of about 55 feet, the USS Gettysburg has a displacement of around 9,800 tons. Her armament includes the Standard missile system for anti-air warfare, Tomahawk cruise missiles for land attack, and a vertical launch system for various missile types. The cruiser is also equipped with a phased array radar and carries helicopter facilities for embarked SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, enhancing her reconnaissance and anti-submarine capabilities. Throughout her service, USS Gettysburg has participated in numerous notable operations. Her maiden deployment occurred from October 1992 to April 1993 in the Mediterranean Sea supporting the USS John F. Kennedy carrier battle group. She responded to the sinking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship in 1994, assisted in operations during Operation Desert Fox in 1998, and engaged in counter-narcotics missions in the Western Caribbean and Eastern Pacific from 2005 to 2006, intercepting multiple drug smuggling vessels and seizing substantial quantities of narcotics valued at over $1.7 billion. Gettysburg has also been involved in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations, notably during her deployment in the Gulf of Aden in 2009, where she participated in pirate interdictions and rescued vessels under threat. She underwent a significant Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) starting in September 2015, modernizing her radar and weapon systems, and became the first in her class to complete this upgrade successfully, with operations resuming in early 2023. Her maritime significance is underscored by her role in modern naval warfare, including recent combat actions such as shooting down an F/A-18 Super Hornet in 2024 during the Red Sea crisis. The USS Gettysburg exemplifies the advanced capabilities and operational versatility of the Ticonderoga-class cruisers within the U.S. Navy.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.