Protecting the fleet against enemy action Cruisers, Destroyers & Frigates

Navy cruisers, destroyers and frigates make certain no carrier, cargo/supply ship or oil tanker proceeds into an area where enemy action is possible. With lightning-quick communications, space-based radar systems, precision weapons and advanced engineering systems, these agile surface warfare ships provide anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-ship protective measures.

Cruisers
Cruisers are modern guided-missile vessels that are used primarily in a battle force role.

Ticonderoga Class
Propulsion: Four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; two shafts, 80,000 shaft horsepower total
Length: 567 feet
Beam: 55 feet
Displacement: 9,600 tons (9,754.06 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Crew: 364

Learn more about Ticonderoga Class Cruisers in America's Navy

Destroyers
Destroyers, like Cruisers, are guided-missile vessels. They take part in a variety of missions, supporting carrier and expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups.

Arleigh-Burke Class
Propulsion: Four General Electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines; two shafts; 100,000 total shaft horsepower
Length: Flights I and II (DDG 51-78): 505 feet (153.92 meters); Flight IIA (DDG 79 AF): 509½ feet (155.29 meters)
Beam: 59 feet (18 meters)
Displacement: DDG 51 through 71: 8,230 L tons (8,362.06 metric tons) full load. DDG 72 through 78: 8,637 L tons (8,775.6 metric tons) full load. DDG 79 and following: 9,496 L tons (9,648.40 metric tons) full load.
Speed: In excess of 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour)
Crew: 276
Armament: Standard Missile (SM-2MR); Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA) missiles; Tomahawk®; six MK-46 torpedoes (from two triple-tube mounts); Close In Weapon System (CIWS), 5" MK 45 Gun, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) (DDG 79 AF)
Aircraft: Two LAMPS MK III MH-60 B/R helicopters with Penguin/Hellfire missiles and MK 46/MK 50 torpedoes

Learn more about Arleigh-Burke Class Destroyers in America's Navy

Frigates
The role of frigates is to assist amphibious expeditionary forces and replenish groups and merchant convoys.

Oliver Hazard-Perry Class
Propulsion: Two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; one shaft, 41,000 shaft horsepower total
Length: 445 feet (133.5 meters); 453 feet (135.9 meters) with LAMPS III modification
Beam: 45 feet (13.5 meters)
Displacement: 4,100 tons (4,165.80 metric tons) full load
Speed: 29+ knots (33.4+ miles per hour)
Crew: 215
Armament: Six MK-46 torpedoes (from two triple mounts); One 76 mm (3-inch)/62 caliber MK 75 rapid fire gun; One Phalanx CIWS
Aircraft: Two SH-60 (LAMPS III) in FFG 8, 28, 29, 32, 33, 36-61; One SH-2 (Lamps Mk-I) in FFG 9-19, 30, 31

Learn more about Oliver Hazard-Perry Class Frigates in America's Navy