DESTROYERS

Sea Power, Jan 2007

GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYERS (DDG)

BRIEFING: The newest class of guided-missile destroyer, the Arleigh Burke class, employs an array of weapons and sensors integrated into a multimission warship, including the Aegis weapons system developed for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers. The Aegis combat system integrates air, surface, antisubmarine warfare sensors and engagement systems. The class is further enhanced with a formidable land-attack capability. The Mk41 VLS is capable of firing Standard SM-2 Block III/IV surface-to-air and Tomahawk land-attack missiles. Ballistic weapons include the Mk45 5-inch gun and the Mk15 CIWS self-defense system.

The Navy's current acquisition plan includes 62 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. There are three "flights," or variants, of the class: DDGs 51-71 represent the original design and are designated Flight 1 ships; DDGs 72-78 are Flight II ships; DDG 79 and subsequent ships are built to the Flight HA design.

The Flight IIA design includes the addition of the Kingfisher mine-avoidance capability to the ship's SQQ-89 undersea warfare system. A pair of helicopter hangars adds the capability to deploy with two organic SH-60B or MH-60R helicopters. The stern is extended 5 feet to accommodate aviation facilities, which include a Recover Assist secure and Traverse system. Other additions to the Flight IIA ships include blast-hardened bulkheads, distributed electrical system and advanced networked systems. Some Flight IIA DDGs, 91-96, provide accommodations for the WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System. The first Flight IIA, Oscar Austin, was commissioned in August 2000.

Arleigh Burke DDGs ships fired Tomahawk missiles during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001 and against Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In October 2000, Cole was damaged by a terrorist attack in Aden, Yemen. The ship returned to service in early 2002, after extensive repairs and upgrades.

As the Navy increases the number of ships able to counter short- and mid-range hostile missiles, several Arleigh Burke DDGs are being modified with Standard Missile-3s capable of intercepting and destroying certain types of short- and mid-rangeballistic missiles. By late 2006, Stethem, Curtis Wilbur and Decatur were so modified. Several more ships will be upgraded, enabling them to detect and track ballistic missiles.

DDG 51-Class Modernization: Because the last of the Arleigh Burke class will be built while the first of the class enters its midlife repair period, a DDG Modernization Plan has been developed and funded to leverage new construction design and technology improvements for backfit into Flight I and II DDGs (51-78). DDG Modernization provides a comprehensive midlife modernization strategy for the DDG 51-class ships to ensure a mission relevant service life of 35-plus years.

DDG Modernization will reduce manning and total ship class ownership costs via HM&E technology upgrades (full integrated bridge, improved machinery and damage control, wireless communications, digital video surveillance, quality of life improvements and advanced galley). Computer-off-the-shelf computing equipment in an open architecture computing environment is implemented to more affordably and efficiently receive future ballistic-missile defense, air defense and additional combat systems improvements. Fielding of the HM&E systems will commence with two ships (Flight 1 1st) in fiscal year 2010 with three ships in each successive year. The combat system upgrades will begin in fiscal 2012 with ships already installed with the HM&E systems using the same fielding profile.

Arleigh Burke Class

DDG 51-71 DDG 72-78 DOG 79 and Following

DISPLACEMENT:..........8,950 long tons 8,946 long tons 9,195 long tons

LENGTH:....................505 feet 505 feet 509.5 feet

BEAM:....................59 feet 59 feet 59 feet

SPEED:....................30 knots 30 knots 30 knots

POWER PLANT: ..........4 GE LM25OO gas turbines, 2 shafts, 100,000 total shp

AIRCRAFT:....................Flights I and II: landing platform and handling facilities only; Flight IIA: 2 SH-60B helicopters; 2 MH-6ORS on DDG 103 & subsequent ships

ARMAMENT: ....................Harpoon (Rights I and II), Tomahawk and Standard missiles, Mk41 VLS, 1 or 2 Mk15 Phalanx CIWS, 1 Mk45 5-inch/54-caliber gun (DDG 51-80), 1 Mk45 5-inch/62-caliber gun (DDG 81 and following), Mk32 dual SVTT launchers

COMPLEMENT: ....................341 (DDG 51-71); 356 (DDG 72-78); 383 (DDG 79-90); 369 (DDG 91-1O6); 314 (DDG 107-112)

BUILDERS:....................Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine: DDG 51, 53, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 73, 75-77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 90, 92, 94, 96, 99, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 109, 111, 112; Northrop Grumman Ship Systems lngalls Operations, Pascagoula, Miss.: DDG 52, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 74, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 98, 100, 103, 105, 107, 110

Homeport

DDG 51 Arleigh Burke....................Norfolk, Va. (AE 09565-1269)

DDG 52 Barry....................Norfolk, Va. (AE O9565-127O)