Aegis and VLS refitted Long Beach, 1/1250

Historically, the Aegis refitted Long Beach would not have seen the VLS equipped as the refit was proposed more than a decade before the first US VLS was developed, and the refit, if implemented, would have been most likely done so before the VLS became operational. In which case, the Aegis Long Beach would probably share the same fate of the early batch of Ticoderoga cruisers which were promptly retired after 20 years of service.

However, if the refit had occurred on a later date, like the 1980s, then it was very probable that the VLS would have been fitted. In addition, as the prototype strike cruiser, the VLS fitted Long Beach would have gave very good insight of the design of the nuclear powered strike cruiser should the plan be implemented. Then of course we know that the strike cruiser proposal was scrapped and was replaced by the Ticoderoga-class.

Released in celebration of the 50th model sold.