Naval Tactical Data System
On 1 November 1958, "Chicago" was reclassified CG-11 and towed to San Francisco Naval Shipyard to begin a five-year conversion (20 months longer than "Columbus" and 13 months longer than "Albany") to a Guided Missile Cruiser. Begun on 1 July 1959, the entire superstructure was removed and replaced with new aluminum compartments, modernized electronic systems, and an improved Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) equipped combat information center. Representative of the new technological focus on guided missiles, "Chicago" was refitted with Tartar and Talos SAM stowage, loading, launching, and guidance systems. Two triple torpedo tubes, an ASROC launcher, two 5 in/38 cal guns, and two antisubmarine helicopters rounded out the cruisers' modifications.