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A large number of destroyer designs were developed by the USN from the 1950s onwards. The current Aegis program (manifested in the CG-47/DDG-51 designs) originated in 1963 with the Advanced Surface Missile System (ASMS). As the development of the large Typhon missile frigate (DLGN) began to encounter difficulties, the ASMS effort was undertaken, partially based on the expectations of new solid-state electronics.

The development was protracted and in 1971 the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt, directed a design effort to provide the smallest possible ship that could carry the new air-defense weapons/electronics system. The initial goal was a displacement of 5,000 tons, but that was soon raised to 6,000 tons. Several designs were put forward, with the more austere versions having a single Mk26 Mod 1 missile launcher for surface-to surface missiles as well as ASROC, a small sonar and a helicopter landing deck but no hanger. By early 1973, the design had been recast, with two Mk13 launchers (a total of 80 missiles but no ASROC capability), plus a full LAMPS facility for one helicopter. The desire for longer-range as well as nuclear SAMS led to still another recasting, this time to provide the Mk26 Mod 2 launcher (with 64 missiles).

However, congressional confusion, the change of the CNO in mid-1974, and advocacy of an all-nuclear Aegis by Admiral Rickover led to the demise of the DG(Aegis) in favor of various DLGN-type designs as well as the CSGN strike cruiser.

The ARLEIGH BURKE-class represents a return to the DG(Aegis) concept. The availability of the vertical-launch missile system (90 weapons) and improvements in the SPY-1 radar coupled with the deletion of the LAMPS helicopter facilities as well as one 5-inch gun permit the construction of a smaller Aegis ship, as envisioned in the early 1970s.