The Arleigh Burke: Linchpin of the Navy

In 1991, when the U.S. Navy commissioned its deadliest surface ship ever, famed World War II Admiral Arleigh Burke issued a challenge to its new crew: "This ship is built to fight; you'd better know how." His comment captured the essence of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer's mission: to fight and to defend America's national interests well into the first half of the 21st century. This ship's mission is to operate in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups and amphibious groups with anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare roles. Boasting more firepower per ton than any other class of ship in the world, Arleigh Burke destroyers represent the futureof the U.S. Navy. They are expected to be the largest class in thefleet after the year 2000.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is home to three of these state-of-the-art ships: USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Russell (DDG 59)and USS Hopper (DDG 70). The USS John S. McCain (DDG56) is forward deployed to Japan. The number assigned to the Pacific is expected to grow, as older class ships are replaced with the newer Arleigh Burke class ships.

The Navy commissioned the first destroyer in the class, the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), in July 1991. It bears the name of the famous destroyer squadron commander and three-time Chief of Naval Operations. Like the larger Ticonderoga class cruisers, the combat systems center in Arleigh Burke destroyers is built around the Aegis combat system and SPY-1D, multi-function phased array radar. The combination of Aegis, the Vertical Launching System, an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, land attack cruise missiles, ship-to-ship missiles, and advanced anti-aircraft missiles, is revolutionary when compared to destroyers of a decade earlier. It also has a platform for rearming and refueling a helicopter. The ship is stealth-like with angles and rounded corners to reduce its radar signature.

Designed for survivability, the Burke class incorporates all-steel construction and many damage control features that are a direct result of lessons learned during the 1981 Falkland Islands War, and from the May 1987 accidental attack on the USS Stark (FFG 31)in the Persian Gulf. Two layers of steel and 70 tons of Kevlar armor protect the ship's vital areas. The design also incorporates anti-chemical/biological warfare double air-locked hatches, anti-contaminant interior pressurization, and reduced access to weather-decks. Fire-fighting measures include larger foam tanks with quicker access, salt-water sprinklers in the berthing areas, and fresh-water sprinklers in CIC areas.

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is smaller, more stable, and faster than its predecessor--the Ticonderoga class Aegis cruiser. Its four gas turbines will drive it at a maximum speed of 31 knots, or give it a range of 4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots.

But all this technology comes at a cost: approximately $800million per ship. "If you want the best, you have to be willing to make sacrifices," says Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) Scott Shanaberger, a USS John S. McCain fire controlman who is intimately familiar with the ship's potential.

"The Arleigh Burke destroyer is the most advanced warship in the world," he said. "Due to the ship's multi-warfare capability and state-of-the-art hardware, I feel that we are a cut above the rest. The Aegis weapons system, combined with the vertical launch system, gives the ship an extremely quick and accurate weapons delivery on target." He said the ship is able to conduct simultaneous multi-warfare operations without degradation of the reaction time of the weapons systems.

"Arleigh Burke destroyers pack an incredible punch," said Cmdr. William Landay III, USS Paul Hamilton commanding officer. "The men and women who design and build these ships have been working in this field for years, continually looking for ways to build them better and more efficiently. The result is a complex piece of machinery, operated by a highly trained and motivated crew, capable of going anywhere in the world to provide presence as a first resort, and a potent offensive punch when needed."

Cmdr. Landay said Arleigh Burke class destroyers are a tremendous asset to the U.S. Navy and an important tool of our national security policy. Across the harbor, Lt. Thomas O'Neil, USS John S.McCain weapons officer, agreed. He cited the unique capabilities that make the ship strong. "The Arleigh Burke's awesome offensive and defensive capabilities and its survivability enable it to operate anywhere in the world," he said. "This class of ship is a full multi-mission capable ship that can perform air warfare, surface warfare and undersea warfare. The SPY-1D radar, the hull-mounted sonar, the Tomahawk weapon system, the Harpoon weapons system, theMk-34 gun weapons system, and the low radar visibility make this an awesome warship," said Lt. O'Neil. "But the professionalism and talent of the crew is its most important asset."

It is this combination of modern technology and deadly firepower that symbolizes the U.S. Navy's Forward... From the Sea concept. Simply put, the Arleigh Burke destroyer is designed to fight and win battles. Forward...From the Sea explains the most important role for naval forces in situations short of war is to be engaged in forwardareas, with the objectives of preventing conflicts and controlling crises. However, if a conflict occurs, naval forces must be able to both control the sea lanes and project power ashore.

The homeporting of the USS John S. McCain in Japan forward deploys an Arleigh Burke destroyer's power projection capability. "The purpose of U.S. Naval forces remains to project the power and influence of the nation across the seas to foreign waters and shores in both peace and war," said then Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton when he released his Forward...From the Sea concept. "To successfully deter aggressors, we must be capable of responding quickly and successfully in support of U.S. theater commanders. Forces deployed for routine exercises and activities undergirding forward presence are also the forces most likely to be called upon to respond rapidly to an emerging crisis."

Secretary Dalton was describing a role that the Arleigh Burke destroyer is designed to fill. Currently, there is at least one inevery major ocean area. "Arleigh Burke-class ships play an integral role in the Forward...From the Sea concept," said Cmdr. Landay. "During our just completed deployment to the Arabian Gulf, our crew conducted maritime interdiction operations, including multiple boardings of suspected violators of United Nations sanctions. At the same time, our Tomahawk weapon system provided the capability to launch land attack cruise missiles at targets deep inland if so directed. The Arleigh Burke is an ideal ship to provide a robust presence from the sea anywhere in the world."

Well beyond the Arleigh Burke class, preliminary plans call for anew cruiser (CGX) expected in 2015-2020 as a follow-on to the Ticonderoga class cruiser. But the near term future of the Navy remains with the Arleigh Burke class Aegis destroyer.

Admiral Burke is remembered for being "relentless in combat" and" revered by his crew." These are the same qualities that symbolize the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer.

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Date last modified: Nov-98