web hosting short URLs photo sharing

Features: Destroyers and guided missile destroyers operate in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups. Destroyers primarily perform anti-submarine warfare duty while guided missile destroyers are multi-mission (ASW, anti-air and anti-surface warfare) surface combatants. The addition of the Mk-41 Vertical Launch System or Tomahawk Armored Box Launchers (ABLs) to many Spruance-class destroyers has greatly expanded the role of the destroyer in strike warfare.

The Kidd-class suited missile destroyers are similar to the Spruance class, but have greater displacement and improved combat systems. These ships were built originally for use by Iran (when the Shah was in power) and the contract was canceled by the succeeding Iranian government. The U.S. Navy acquired them in 1981 and 1982. Like the older guided missile cruisers, these ships have been upgraded to improve their anti-air warfare performance against the technologically advanced threat expected into the 2lst Century.

The Spruance class destroyers, the first large U.S. Navy warships to employ gas turbine engines as their main propulsion system, are undergoing extensive modernizing. The upgrade program includes addition of vertical launchers for advanced missiles on 24 ships of this class, in addition to an advanced ASW system and upgrading of its helicopter capability. Like the Kidd class, Spruance class destroyers are expected to remain a major part of the Navy's surface combatant force into the 21st century.

General Characteristics, Kidd and Spruance classes