A proposed Aegis modernization would have substantially altered Long Beach. The concept replaces the ship's early radar arrangement with Aegis arrays and appears to add a helicopter hangar that the original design lacked. Standard missiles and a newer five-inch gun would have brought the weapons fit closer to contemporary fleet practice. The scale of the superstructure changes shows the modernization potential that remained and why the conversion would have required a major rebuild.
Chapter · 42:01-42:44
The unrealized Aegis upgrade for Long Beach
A proposed modernization replaced Long Beach's early arrays with Aegis radars and paired them with Standard missiles, a helicopter hangar, and a newer five-inch gun.