USS South Carolina (CGN-37)

USS South Carolina (CGN-37)

USS South Carolina (CGN-37) was the second ship of the California-class of nuclear powered guided missile cruisers in the United States Navy.

The USS South Carolina and her sister ship the USS California were equipped with two Mk-13 launchers, fore and aft, for the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missiles, ASROC missiles, and Harpoon missiles. They were equipped with two 5″ rapid-fire cannons, fore and aft. Unlike the later Virginia class which had a unique arrangement aft of the superstructure, with a flight deck and a below-decks hangar for two LAMPS helicopters, these two cruisers had only a landing pad aft and basic refuelling equipment. There was also a full suite of anti-submarine warfare equipment. Thus, these ships were designed to face all threats, in the air, on the surface, and underwater.