How proposed nuclear strike cruisers could reshape the US escort fleet

Would all 27 Ticonderogas have been built if the planned nuclear strike cruisers had gone ahead?

Probably only about two-thirds, with Ticonderogas serving more as escorts to the larger nuclear cruisers and later Burke numbers also affected.

Building the proposed nuclear strike cruisers could reduce Ticonderoga construction to roughly two-thirds of the historical twenty-seven ships. The Ticonderogas would serve as escorts to larger Aegis-equipped ships, closer to their original destroyer role. The nuclear cruisers' size and expected service life might justify converting twin-arm launchers to vertical-launch cells. Their firepower would also make independent deployments useful, relieving some demands on Arleigh Burkes. Prominent 8-inch autoloading guns would make their strength visible to people less familiar with radar and missile systems. The resulting force could require fewer Burkes or a different development path beyond Flight II.