On this January 30, 1976, reconstruction began on USS Belknap (CG 26), which was severely damaged during a fatal fire. Because the fire would’ve caused less damage if the superstructure was made of steel, the US Navy began to pursue all-steel construction in future classes of surface combatants. During reconstruction, the Navy decided to use Belknap as a test platform for the Aegis class cruiser electronics and updated weapons systems. Until the Aegis class cruisers came along, Belknap was one of the most powerful warships in the world and became the first ship to fire on an enemy since the Vietnam War.
