Arliegh Burke Class DDGs News & Developments
The Arleigh Burke class destroyers represent the longest production run for any surface combatant in US History.
These AEGIS destroyers use Phased Array Radar (PARs) and Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) for their anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine missiles. They have close in weapons systems to protect against "leaker" missiles and torpedoes for further ASW work. They defenses are controlled by the vaunted AEGIS combat management system...the most widely distributed and used battle management system in the world, which has continuously been updated and improved over the years along with the electronics and weapon systems feeding it.
The started with DDG-51, the USS Arleigh Burk commissioned July 4th, 1991. These Flight 1 and Flight II vessels, which were very close to the same with only minor changes, ran for 28 vessels through DDG-78, the USS Porter. They displaced 8,400 tons with 90 VLS tubes, eight SSMs, two CIWS, and six torpedo tubes.
These initial vessels had a landing pad and "hook ups" for ASW and SAR helicopters, but no hangar. As the 30+ Spruance Class destroyers were de-commissioned the need for US destroyers that could house their own helicopters made a resurgence and a new modification for the Burke class destroyers was proposed.
This produced the starting with the USS Oscar Ausin which was commissioned August 19, 2000.
These newer vessels had a large hanger capable of housing up to two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. They also increased the number of VLS tubes from 90 to 96. They displace over 9,200 tons. Since the Oscar Austin, another 34 vessels have been produced to date, with DDG-112, USS Michael Murphey being commissioned October 6, 2012.
This is a total of 62 AEGIS destroyers commissioned in just over 22 years. Almost three per year for all of those years!
Since that time, another has been launched, six more are at various stages of construction, and four more contracts have been awarded. for more Flight IIA vessels. This will make a total of 73 Flight I, Flight II, and Flight IIA vessels.
Now, the first three Flight III vessels have been awarded, and it is expectedat least twelve of those will be built...and probably more.
These are expected to be a bridge design to tie the United States Navy over to a new design that will ultimately replace the ageing 22 vessel strong . But it is possible that Flight II vessels will make up a majority of those replacements.
So, at the very least there will be 85 Burke destroyers, and this may expand to 95, A huge run of a very successful, in fact the most successful, modern destroyer class on earth.
An amazing run of very successful, very modern, and very modular class of ships which are a tribute to the naval designers who envisioned and designed them, the ship yards who built them, and the men and women who have operated and maintained them all of these years.
The Arleigh Burke class destroyers represent the longest production run for any surface combatant in US History.
These AEGIS destroyers use Phased Array Radar (PARs) and Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) for their anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine missiles. They have close in weapons systems to protect against "leaker" missiles and torpedoes for further ASW work. They defenses are controlled by the vaunted AEGIS combat management system...the most widely distributed and used battle management system in the world, which has continuously been updated and improved over the years along with the electronics and weapon systems feeding it.
The started with DDG-51, the USS Arleigh Burk commissioned July 4th, 1991. These Flight 1 and Flight II vessels, which were very close to the same with only minor changes, ran for 28 vessels through DDG-78, the USS Porter. They displaced 8,400 tons with 90 VLS tubes, eight SSMs, two CIWS, and six torpedo tubes.
These initial vessels had a landing pad and "hook ups" for ASW and SAR helicopters, but no hangar. As the 30+ Spruance Class destroyers were de-commissioned the need for US destroyers that could house their own helicopters made a resurgence and a new modification for the Burke class destroyers was proposed.
This produced the starting with the USS Oscar Ausin which was commissioned August 19, 2000.
These newer vessels had a large hanger capable of housing up to two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. They also increased the number of VLS tubes from 90 to 96. They displace over 9,200 tons. Since the Oscar Austin, another 34 vessels have been produced to date, with DDG-112, USS Michael Murphey being commissioned October 6, 2012.
This is a total of 62 AEGIS destroyers commissioned in just over 22 years. Almost three per year for all of those years!
Since that time, another has been launched, six more are at various stages of construction, and four more contracts have been awarded. for more Flight IIA vessels. This will make a total of 73 Flight I, Flight II, and Flight IIA vessels.
Now, the first three Flight III vessels have been awarded, and it is expectedat least twelve of those will be built...and probably more.
These are expected to be a bridge design to tie the United States Navy over to a new design that will ultimately replace the ageing 22 vessel strong . But it is possible that Flight II vessels will make up a majority of those replacements.
So, at the very least there will be 85 Burke destroyers, and this may expand to 95, A huge run of a very successful, in fact the most successful, modern destroyer class on earth.
An amazing run of very successful, very modern, and very modular class of ships which are a tribute to the naval designers who envisioned and designed them, the ship yards who built them, and the men and women who have operated and maintained them all of these years.
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