Features

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). The destroyer's armament has greatly expanded the role of the ship in strike warfare utilizing the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) of the DDG 51 class, and the Advanced Vertical Launch System (AVLS) the DDG 1000 class.  

Background

The Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) destroyers replaced the Charles F. Adams class (DDG 2). The Arleigh Burke class was designed with an all-new hull form, incorporating much of the Spruance class (DD 963) destroyer propulsion and machinery plant, and the integrated Aegis Weapons System (AWS) proven on the Kidd class (DD 993) destroyers and installed on the larger Ticonderoga class cruisers. AWS is composed of a multi-function phased array radar, advanced AAW and ASW systems, VLS, and the Tomahawk Weapon System.

DDG 51 was commissioned on July 4, 1991, and the class is still in production. The class has been continuously upgraded with advanced sensors and weapons and improved support systems.

The Arleigh Burke class employs all-steel construction and comprises four separate variants or "Flights." DDG 51-71 represent the original design and are designated as Flight I ships; DDG 72-78 are Flight II ships; DDGs 79-116 are Flight IIA ships in service, and will continue through DDGs 124 and 127. The Flight III baseline will begin with DDGs 125-126, and continue with DDGs 128 and follow.

The first Flight III ship, DDG 125, started fabrication May 07, 2018. The Navy awarded two contracts for the DDG 51 FY 2018 - 2022 MYP for a total of 10 Flight III destroyers on Sept. 27, 2018. The MYP continues the procurement for the proven DDG 51 Class shipbuilding program, leveraging competition, a strong industrial base and a stable design in order to achieve savings.

The DDG 51 Flight III upgrade is centered on the AMDR/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar system that provides vastly increased capability over DDG 51 Flight IIA ships. The AMDR enables Flight III ships to simultaneously perform AAW and Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), which satisfies the Navy's critical need for an enhanced surface combatant Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability.

Sixty-eight DDG 51 class ships have been delivered to the fleet (DDG 51 -117, 119). Ten ships are currently under construction, with an additional eleven under contract with shipbuilders Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries.

DDG 51 class ships have been delivered to the fleet (DDG 51 -116). Ten ships are currently under construction, with an additional twelve under contract with shipbuilders HII and BIW. A DDG modernization program is underway to provide a comprehensive mid-life upgrade that will ensure the DDG 51 class will maintain mission relevance and remain an integral part of the Navy's Sea Power 21 Plan.

The modernization changes are also being introduced to new construction ships to increase the baseline capabilities of the newest ships in the class, and to provide commonality between new construction ships and modernized in-service ships. The goal of the DDG modernization effort is to reduce workload requirements and increase war fighting capabilities while reducing total ownership cost to the Navy.