A late-1980s Flight III Burke concept is recalled as a destroyer leader intended to replace Ticonderoga-class cruisers. That proposal would have enlarged the ship and carried more VLS cells than the cruisers it replaced. It therefore differs from the Flight III ships discussed as entering service at the time of the recording. The comparison concerns an earlier design proposal, without supplying its full dimensions or a detailed weapons fit.
Notable Point · 55:02-55:36
The larger Flight III destroyer leader recalled from the 1980s
An earlier Flight III concept would have enlarged the Burke design into a cruiser replacement with a larger missile battery.