Naval Sea Systems Command

 
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DDG 51
Program Summary

The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. These ships respond to Low Intensity Conflict/Coastal and Littoral Offshore Warfare (LIC/CALOW) scenarios as well as open-ocean conflict independently or as units of Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG), and Missile Defense Action Groups. Named after famed World War II Officer and former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke, this class provides outstanding combat capability and survivability characteristics while considering procurement and life cycle support costs.

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) 
BATH, Maine (March 9, 2012) The future USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), and the final ship of the original 62-ship procurement of the DDG 51 class shipbuilding program.(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works/Released)
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are equipped with the Navy’s Aegis Weapon System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system. When integrated with the Aegis Combat System, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) will permit groups of ships and aircraft to link their radars to provide a composite picture of the battle space, effectively increasing the theater space. The capability is designed to provide the Navy with a 21st century fighting edge.

Like most modern U.S. Navy surface combatants, the Arleigh Burke-class utilizes gas turbine propulsion. Employing four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines to produce 100,000 total shaft horsepower via a dual shaft design, these ships are capable of achieving 30-plus knot speeds in open seas.

The Arleigh Burke-class employs all-steel construction and is comprised of three separate variants or “Flights”. DDG 51-71 were constructed as Flight I ships. DDG 72-78 are Flight II ships. The Flight IIA design began with DDG 79 and will continue to be built until the Flight III baseline begins in FY16. The design includes the addition of the Kingfisher mine-avoidance capability, a pair of helicopter hangars which provide the ability to deploy with two organic LAMPS MK III MH-60 helicopters, blast-hardened bulkheads, distributed electrical system and advanced networked systems. The Navy plans to procure the Flight III variant which will replace the existing SPY-1D radar with an enhanced SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) that will provide superior support in identifying potential targets through improvements in power, sensitivity and resistance to natural and man-made environments.

Currently, the Navy has fourteen Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (DDG 113-126) under contract for new construction. The Navy is relying on a stable and mature infrastructure while increasing the ship's air and missile defense capabilities through spiral upgrades to the weapons and sensor suites. These ships continue to be delivered at the highest quality while serial production has reduced costs and increased capabilities. The future John Finn (DDG 113), Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and Rafael Perlata (DDG 115) launched in 2015. The Keel Laying for the future Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) also occurred in 2015. By the end of 2016, the first two of the “re-start” DDG 51s will be delivered to the fleet with another seven in various stages of construction.

A DDG modernization program is also underway for in-service ships, which commenced with the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) in mid-2010, to provide comprehensive mid-life upgrades that will ensure Arleigh Burke-class ships maintain mission relevance.


Updated Dec 2015
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