When funding for a new cruiser hull was unavailable, Burke used conversion money to turn Albany into the guided-missile air-defense ship he needed. The Leahy and Farragut classes, Charles F. Adams-class destroyers, and nuclear-powered Bainbridge expanded the escort force through new construction. Some were called destroyer leaders by design lineage while serving in roles closer to cruisers. Together, the conversion and new ships show how Burke matched operational requirements to the procurement routes that could survive politically.
Notable Point · 40:30-41:39
Conversions and destroyer leaders build the guided-missile fleet
Albany, Leahy, Farragut, Charles F. Adams, and Bainbridge illustrate Burke's willingness to mix conversions and new construction to obtain guided-missile capability.