role. These ships (fig. 8-16) are multimission surfacecombatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups,amphibious forces, operating independently, and asflagships of surface action groups. Because of theirextensive combat capability, these ships have beendesignated as battle force capable.D e s t r o y e r s . — D e s t r o y e r s ( D D s ) a n dguided-missiles destroyers (DDGs) are multipurposeships that are useful in almost any kind of navaloperation. They are fast ships with a variety ofarmaments, but little or no armor. For protection, theydepend on their speed and mobility. Their displacementvaries from 2,425 tons to 7,800 tons.The principal mission of destroyers is to operateoffensively and defensively against submarines andsurface ships and to take defensive action against airattacks. They also provide gunfire support foramphibious assaults and perform patrol, search, andrescue missions.The destroyers armament consists of 5-inch gunsand a variety of antisubmarine weapons, such astorpedoes, ASROCs, and surface-to-air missiles.Traditionally, destroyers have been named afterSecretaries of the Navy and officers and enlistedpersonnel of the Navy and Marine Corps.Destroyers make up the Navy’s largest group ofsimilar types of ships. Only a few are mentioned so youwill have some idea of the several types and classes.Spruance class destroyers. The Spruance (fig.8-17) class destroyers displace 7,800 tons fully loaded.Each of these ships has two 5"/54-caliber guns, oneSeasparrow missile launcher, one ASROC launcher,and two Mk 32 triple-torpedo tubes. They also have fullhelicopter facilities to accommodate the SH-2H orSH-60B helicopter, and the larger Sea King SH-3helicopter. The Spruance class destroyers are the firstlarge U.S. warships to use gas-turbine propulsion. Thispropulsion system was selected because of its smallerspace requirements, rapid replacement capability, andcold start capability. (The engines can go from “coldiron” to full power in 12 minutes.)Kidd class guided-missile destroyers. The Kiddclass guided-missile destroyers are designed around theSpruance hull and engineering plant. Armamentincludes two Mk 26 Tartar/ASROC launchers; twoQuad Harpoon canisters; two Mk 45, 5"/54-caliber gunmounts; and two Vulcan/Phalanx CIWSs. There arefacilities for two SH-2 LAMPS or one LAMPS III.Displacement of these ships is 8,500 tons andpropulsion is gas turbine.Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The DDGs of theArleigh Burke class (fig. 8-18 and fig. 8-19) are the most8-18Student Notes:Photograph courtesy of PH1 James SlaughenhauptFigure 8-17.—Spruance class destroyer, USS Moosebrugger (DD 980).
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