The United States' powerful warships are about to retire, and no replacements have been identified yet.

Currently, there are 22 Ticonderoga-class US guided-missile cruisers still in operation. But the USS Bunker Hill is expected to be decommissioned in 2019, while her sister ships in 2045. So far, a potential specific replacement has not been named yet.

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The Bunker Hill has been in service for more than three decades already. These so-called Ticos were initially meant to be replaced by an advanced CG(X)-class warship, but top Navy brass learned of the staggering $3.5 billion to $6 billion price per boat and eventually scrapped the project.

The Port Royal, the last Tico, is expected to finish its service by 2045, and the remaining vessels are anticipated to get cutting-edge upgrades like advanced radar and sonar, advanced launchers, and high-tech missile interceptor system, Stripes.com reported.

According to Sputnik News, the increasing crew costs and the aging infrastructure are said to be factors that contributed to the class' doom. Even though it is bigger in size, the recently downsized Zumwalt-class destroyer fleet utilizes robotics and software to carry out the same mission but with a crew less than half of the Bunker Hill's size.

However, the 32-boat Zumwalt-class fleet, which is partially intended to replace the Ticos, has been plagued with engineering problems, experiencing at least two engine breakdowns during a trip to San Diego from Maine. The most recent incident occurred last November when the $4 billion vessel was towed out of the Panama Canal.

The Zumwalts have been gradually reduced, but experts said it is an ineffective substitute for the Ticonderoga-class fleet.

The 567-foot Bunker Hill could carry 340 enlisted men guided by 60 officers. Its floating missile launcher could travel up to 38 mph on smooth water.