Arleigh Burke-class

Pound for pound, the best and most survivable escort in the world today. These are true stealth ships, as their shape (which resembles the faceted appearance of the F-117 Nighthawk) belies. In fact, save the lack of better helicopter facilities, they are almost as powerful as the Ticonderoga-class (CG-47) Aegis cruisers. In addition, their superior structures, systems, and signatures make them far more survivable, particularly close inshore, where current US Navy doctrine has them doing most of their work. Like the CG-47s, they will be receiving significant upgrades in the next few years, including new software and displays, as well as a planned anti-tactical ballistic missile capability. Also, the two yards producing the Burkes (Littion Ingalls and General Dynamics-Bath) are preparing a modified DDG-51 design which will replace the Harpoon launchers with a helicopter hangar with the same capacity as the CG-47s. Eventually over 50 DDG-51 will probably be produced. These are truly ships worthy of their namesake.

Structural/Powerplant

The DDG-51 are the first really stealthy escorts to be built for the US Navy. Through shaping, coatings, and other technologies, these ships have a radar, infrared, and acoustic signature much smaller than any other escort in the world today. In addition, the use of steel in all of the major structures and a complete chemical/biological/nuclear filtration protection systems makes this the toughest and most survivable escort in service. Finally, their use of the classic LM-2500 gas turbine power system (four in geared power modules driving two shafts) makes them extremely reliable. A maximum 100,000 SHP (90,000 normal) make them among the quickest and most agile escorts in commission.

Weapons

Two Mk 41 (96 weapons total) vertical missile launch systems firing SM-2 Standard SAMs, ASROC ASW missiles, and BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, One Mk. 45 5"/127 mm dual purpose gun mount, two Mk. 15 Phalanx 20 mm guns, four .50 caliber/12.7 mm machine guns, two quad RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, and two triple Mk. 32 ASW torpedo launchers.

Countermeasures

SLQ-32(V)3 electronic warfare suite with radar warning reliever and jammer, four Mk 36 or Mk 50 SuperRBOC chaff/decoy launchers, SLQ-39 radar decoy launcher, and two SLQ-25 Nixie anti-torpedo decoy/countermeasure systems.

Sensors

SPY-1D Aegis missile system radar system, SPS-67 surface search radar, SPS-64(V)9 navigation radar, three SPG-62 missile director radars, and SPQ-9A gun laying radar, SQS-53 bow mounted sonar and SQR-19 towed sonar array.