The primary advantage of these general-purpose assault
ships is tactical integrity—getting a balanced force to the
same point at the same time.
Spruance-class ships are the Navy’s prime ASW
destroyers. They are fitted with our most powerful
sonar, helicopters, our best ASW weapons, and the
Harpoon surface-to-surface missile system.
The most recent additions to the surface fleet are the
Ticonderoga-class cruisers and the Arleigh Burke-class
destroyers. Both are powered by gas turbines and are
capable of high-speed transits. They are also outfitted
with the Navy’s new Aegis weapons system. That
system has the capability to track and engage multiple
targets, using a complex system of radars, missiles,
guns, torpedoes, and self-defense systems. These
capabilities make these cruisers and destroyers the most
survivable units of today’s surface fleet.
Our ability to quickly deploy large carrier battle
groups and surface action groups quickly will assure our
allies of our ability to exercise sea control. That ability,
coupled with the U.S. submarine forces’ strategic
deterrence objective, will allow the United States and its
allies the ability to deter further hostile action worldwide.
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Student Notes:
