How does a frigate become a cruiser? Did it grow up? :)
I always thought these were based on size as much as function, I always thought cruisers were big since some countries put flat tops on them to carry aircraft.
not navy PC to call offensive weapons systems (a.k.a. war ships) anything more threatening than “destroyers” or “guided missile frigates”
The change was by decree I suppose. Maybe SecNav’s mother hated the name as much as mine did. :=) It certainly wasn’t because of the awesome firepower of our twin 3” gun mounts.
To my knowledge, the last “cruiser” to carrier conversions were when the battle cruiser hulls of the USS Lexington and USS Saratoga were converted to carriers in the 20s.