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Description
For all you warship fans, you have probably ran into the joke on how the Takao class cruiser's superstructure looks a lot like that found on many modern day Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

Well, I decided to take the joke a little stop seriously and design an Aegis cruiser design based on the Takao class. I took most of my inspiration from modern day destroyers and some animes where they are modern warship designs. It isn't meant to be a serious warship design nor a practical one but rather a fun concept on an interesting idea.

For those who cannot read the main text:
Built by the Japanese Marine Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in the 1990's, the Maya class were a class of guilder missile heavy cruisers consisting of 4 ships: Maya, Chokai, Atago and Takao. They were built in an experiment for the use of missiles on warships and the brand new Aegis radar systems in used in navies around the world. The design was visually inspired by the Takao class heavy cruisers built by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 1930's, but the hull was updated to a more modern design to allow the equipment of new radar and weapon systems.

The ships were armed with 8 of the new 203mm/60 5th Year Type Naval guns, which had increased rate of fire and elevation for anti-aircraft duties, though their slow rate of fire made them rather ineffective in this role. They were also equipped with 4 127mm/62 MK 48 Mod 5 Guns in single mounts for attack on land and air targets. In additional, 6 of the 25mm Phalanx MK II were installed around the ship for added protection against enemy aircraft and submarines. The torpedo Armament consisted of 12 600mm torpedo tubes in 4 triple mounts capable for firing anti-surface and anti-submarine torpedoes. Missiles in the form of Talos and 'Sky Lance' were fitted around the ship to protect her from enemy air attack. Armour protection was on the heavier side of modern cruisers, reflecting the old thinking of cruisers that the ships were based on, even though the armour was insufficient to protect the ships from enemy torpedoes and missiles. The ships also suffered from top heavy issues, though not as seriously as older Japanese cruisers.

The two last ships of the class; Atago and Takao, were completed to a slight redesigned. The helicopter pad was moved to the rear of the ship after experience showed that the old placement to be slightly problematic. In response to the growing threat of submarines, the old area replaced with new VLS missiles for anti air and anti submarine warfare. The old helicopter hanger was slightly altered into a command centre and additional radar sets were added to the altered design. Despite the removal of 2 of the torpedo tubes, reduction of armour protection, as well as additional weight saving measures of the interior of the ships, the modifications increased the total displacement, further increasing the top weight issues of the ships.

Description
For all you warship fans, you have probably ran into the joke on how the Takao class cruiser's superstructure looks a lot like that found on many modern day Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

Well, I decided to take the joke a little stop seriously and design an Aegis cruiser design based on the Takao class. I took most of my inspiration from modern day destroyers and some animes where they are modern warship designs. It isn't meant to be a serious warship design nor a practical one but rather a fun concept on an interesting idea.

For those who cannot read the main text:
Built by the Japanese Marine Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in the 1990's, the Maya class were a class of guilder missile heavy cruisers consisting of 4 ships: Maya, Chokai, Atago and Takao. They were built in an experiment for the use of missiles on warships and the brand new Aegis radar systems in used in navies around the world. The design was visually inspired by the Takao class heavy cruisers built by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 1930's, but the hull was updated to a more modern design to allow the equipment of new radar and weapon systems.

The ships were armed with 8 of the new 203mm/60 5th Year Type Naval guns, which had increased rate of fire and elevation for anti-aircraft duties, though their slow rate of fire made them rather ineffective in this role. They were also equipped with 4 127mm/62 MK 48 Mod 5 Guns in single mounts for attack on land and air targets. In additional, 6 of the 25mm Phalanx MK II were installed around the ship for added protection against enemy aircraft and submarines. The torpedo Armament consisted of 12 600mm torpedo tubes in 4 triple mounts capable for firing anti-surface and anti-submarine torpedoes. Missiles in the form of Talos and 'Sky Lance' were fitted around the ship to protect her from enemy air attack. Armour protection was on the heavier side of modern cruisers, reflecting the old thinking of cruisers that the ships were based on, even though the armour was insufficient to protect the ships from enemy torpedoes and missiles. The ships also suffered from top heavy issues, though not as seriously as older Japanese cruisers.

The two last ships of the class; Atago and Takao, were completed to a slight redesigned. The helicopter pad was moved to the rear of the ship after experience showed that the old placement to be slightly problematic. In response to the growing threat of submarines, the old area replaced with new VLS missiles for anti air and anti submarine warfare. The old helicopter hanger was slightly altered into a command centre and additional radar sets were added to the altered design. Despite the removal of 2 of the torpedo tubes, reduction of armour protection, as well as additional weight saving measures of the interior of the ships, the modifications increased the total displacement, further increasing the top weight issues of the ships.