USS Long Beach (CGN-9) was a US nuclear-powered missile cruiser. The keel for this unit was laid in 1957, the launch took place in July 1959, and the commissioning to the US Navy took place in 1961. The total length of the ship was 219.8 meters, the overall width was 21.8 meters, and her full displacement was about 15,500 tons. The maximum speed was up to 30-31 knots. The on-board armament included, among others: two double Terrier rocket launchers, one dual Talos rocket launcher, one 8-rail ASROC rocket-torpedo launcher, and two triple torpedo tubes. The ship had a helipad.
The USS Long Beach (CGN-9) was the first nuclear-powered surface ship in the history of the US Navy and the first American-designed cruiser after World War II. From the beginning, it was assumed that it would be one of the shield ships of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier. When designing this unit, particular emphasis was placed on countering air targets and it was equipped primarily with missile weapons. USS Long Beach, shortly after entering service, operated in the Mediterranean. The unit also took an active part in the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975), fighting in it from the very beginning. In 1980, the unit began a thorough modernization and renovation, as a result of which the cruiser acquired the ability to operate Standard missiles and received Vulcan Phalanx direct defense kits. Four years later (1984), Tomahawk rocket launchers were installed on the unit. USS Long Beach took part in the First Gulf War (1990-1991), and in 1995 was withdrawn from active service.