Closing The Gap
To close this "gap," the U.S. frigate (DL/DLG) classification was eliminated on 30 June 1975. All the gun frigates (DL) had already been stricken. Most of the DLGs became cruisers (CG), but the smaller Farraguts became destroyers (DDG). All of the nuclear powered DLGNs, existing or in construction, were redesignated as CGNs. The change from DLG to CG redefined "cruiser" as smaller ships, more like large destroyers. Cruiser classifications were also simplified, with the guided missile light cruisers (CLG) simply becoming CGs. Gun cruisers were provided the designation "CA" at this time, but the last remaining gun cruiser, Newport News, was decommissioned in 1975, so the designation was and remains theoretical.
The ocean escorts (DE/DEG) and patrol frigates (PF) became frigates (FF/FFG).
These changes brought U.S. Navy classifications into line with foreign classifications, and eliminated the perceived "cruiser gap."
| Pre-30 June 1975 | Post-30 June 1975 |
| Cruiser (CG/CLG) | Cruiser (CG) |
| Frigate (DL/DLG/DLGN) | Cruiser (CG/CGN) or Destroyer (DDG) |
| Destroyer (DD/DDG) | Destroyer (DD/DDG) |
| Ocean Escort (DE/DEG) | Frigate (FF/FFG) |
| Patrol Frigate (PF) | Frigate (FFG) |
A final change came on 1 January 1980, when the Ticonderoga-class destroyers (DDG) became cruisers (CG).
Read more about this topic: United States Navy 1975 Ship Reclassification
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