The Ticonderogas were good ships that had nevertheless become very old. Their continued service was not proof that age no longer mattered. Congress wanted to retain the hulls while the US Navy's intended replacements repeatedly failed to provide an adequate successor. The result resembles other legacy systems whose distinctive strengths keep them in service after modernization plans falter.
Notable Point · 1:31:49-1:32:50
Why the Ticonderoga cruisers remained in service
The Ticonderoga class combined proven capability with political pressure to retain ships after replacement programs failed to deliver.