Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). Photo Credit: navsea.navy.mil

Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Overview

General Background

• The Arleigh Burke class is a series of guided-missile destroyers serving in the United States Navy.
• Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding and Bath Iron Works, these ships entered service in 1991 and remain active today.
• The program began construction in 1988, paused in 2011, and resumed in 2013.
• They succeeded the Spruance and Kidd classes, while later being followed by the Zumwalt class and the future DDG(X) program.
• Each vessel costs approximately US$2.2 billion (FY2024).

Fleet Status

• Planned total: 99 ships.
• Completed: 78 vessels, including Flight III and Flight IIA Technology Insertion units.
• Active fleet: 74 destroyers.
• On order: 15 Flight III ships.
• Currently building: 6 Flight III units.
• Retired ships: None to date.

Distribution by Variant

• Flight I: 21 ships
• Flight II: 7 ships
• Flight IIA: 34 ships
• Flight IIA Restart: 3 ships
• Flight IIA Technology Insertion: 8 ships
• Flight III: 1 ship

Design and Characteristics

Dimensions & Displacement

• Length:
  • Flights I & II – 505 ft (154 m)
  • Flights IIA & III – 509.5 ft (155.3 m)
• Beam: 66 ft (20 m)
• Draft: 31 ft (9.4 m)
• Displacement (fully loaded):
  • Flight I – 8,300 long tons (8,400 t)
  • Flight II – 8,400 long tons (8,500 t)
  • Flight IIA – 9,500 long tons (9,700 t)
  • Flight III – 9,700 long tons (9,900 t)

Propulsion & Performance

• Powered by 4 General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, each producing 26,250 bhp.
• Combined output: 105,000 bhp (78,000 kW).
• Two shafts with five-bladed controllable-pitch propellers.
• Speed: 30+ knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).
• Range: 4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots.
• Carried boats: 2 rigid-hull inflatable boats.

Installed Power

• Flight I & II: 3 × AG9130 generator sets (2,500 kW each).
• Flight IIA: 3 × AG9140 generator sets (3,000 kW each).
• Flight III: 3 × AG9160 generator sets (4,000 kW each).

Crew Complement

• Flight I: 303 personnel.
• Flight IIA: 23 officers and 300 enlisted sailors.

Sensors and Systems

Radar & Fire Control

• AN/SPY-1D PESA 3D radar (Flights I, II, IIA).
• AN/SPY-6(V)1 AESA 3D radar (Flight III).
• AN/SPS-67(V)3 or (V)5 surface search radar (DDG-51 to DDG-118).
• AN/SPQ-9B surface search radar (DDG-119 onward).
• AN/SPS-73(V)12 navigation radar (DDG-51 to DDG-86).
• BridgeMaster E navigation radar (DDG-87 onward).
• 3 × AN/SPG-62 fire-control radars.

Optical Systems

• Mk 46 optical sight system (Flights I, II, IIA).
• Mk 20 electro-optical sight system (Flight III).

Sonar & Anti-Submarine Warfare

• AN/SQQ-89 ASW combat system.
• AN/SQS-53C sonar array.
• AN/SQR-19 tactical towed array sonar (Flights I, II, IIA).
• TB-37U multi-function towed array sonar (DDG-113 onward).
• AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III shipboard system.

Electronic Warfare & Countermeasures

• AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite.
• AN/SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo countermeasure system.
• Mk 36 Mod 12 decoy launchers.
• Mk 53 Nulka decoy launchers.
• Mk 59 decoy launchers.

Armament

Main Guns

• DDG-51 to DDG-80: 127 mm/54 Mk 45 Mod 1/2.
• DDG-81 onward: 127 mm/62 Mk 45 Mod 4.

Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)

• DDG-51 to DDG-84: 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS (front & rear).
• DDG-85 onward: 1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS (rear).
• Eight destroyers fitted with SeaRAM in the rear slot.

Secondary Weapons

• 2 × 25 mm Mk 38 Bushmaster autocannons.
• 4 × 12.7 mm M2 Browning heavy machine guns.

Missile Systems

• Anti-Ship Missiles:
  • Flights I & II: 2 × Mk 141 Harpoon launchers (4–8 missiles).
  • DDG-62: 4 × Naval Strike Missiles (Harpoons removed).
• Vertical Launching System (VLS):
  • Flights I & II: 90 cells (Mk 41 VLS).
  • Flights IIA & III: 96 cells (Mk 41 VLS).
• Missile Payloads:
  • BGM-109 Tomahawk (land-attack & future anti-ship).
  • RIM-161 SM-3 SAM.
  • RIM-174 SM-6 SAM.
  • RIM-156 SM-2ER Blk. IV SAM.
  • RIM-66 SM-2MR SAM.
  • RIM-162 ESSM SAM (quad-pack capable).
  • RUM-139 VL-ASROC anti-submarine missile.

Torpedoes

• 2 × Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes.
• Compatible with Mark 46, Mark 50, and Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes.

Other Advanced Systems

• Six destroyers equipped with Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy.
• DDG-88 fitted with HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance).

Protection

• Vital areas reinforced with 130 tons of Kevlar splinter protection.

Aviation Facilities

• Flights I & II: Flight deck only, with LAMPS III electronics (no hangars).
• Flights IIA & III: Flight deck plus two hangars, supporting up to two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer Details

Variants

• Flight I: DDGs 51–71 These were the original ships of the class, introducing the Aegis combat system on a destroyer platform and setting the foundation for later improvements.

• Flight II: DDGs 72–78 This batch featured incremental upgrades in electronics and combat systems, refining the design while maintaining the same core hull and propulsion.

• Flight IIA: DDGs 79–124 and DDG-127 The most numerous group, distinguished by the addition of helicopter hangars and enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, making them more versatile in modern naval operations.

• Flight III: DDGs 125–126 and DDG-128 onward The newest generation, equipped with the advanced AN/SPY-6 radar and improved power systems, designed to counter evolving missile threats and integrate future weapon technologies.

Structure

• Among the largest destroyers built in the United States
  • Longer classes: Spruance (563 ft), Kidd (563 ft), Zumwalt (600 ft)
• Hull Design:
  • Large waterplane area hull form with wide, flaring bow
  • Improves seakeeping and allows high speed in rough seas
• Stealth Features:
  • Angled surfaces reduce radar detection
  • Raked tripod mainmast for reduced radar signature
• Construction:
  • All-steel construction (mast made of aluminum)
  • Lessons learned from Ticonderoga-class cruiser (too costly, hard to upgrade)
  • Aluminum avoided due to cracking and fire vulnerability (USS Belknap fire, 1975)
  • Falklands War damage reinforced decision for steel superstructures
• Protection:
  • Double-spaced steel layers around vital spaces
  • Kevlar spall liners for added defense
• Design Study:
  • "Cruiser Baseline" study proposed combining Ticonderoga capabilities with Arleigh Burke standards (never built)

Passive Defenses

• Electronic Warfare:
  • AN/SLQ-32 EW suite (variants V3, V6, V7 capable of radar jamming)
• Decoys:
  • Mark 36 infrared and chaff decoy launchers
  • Nulka decoy launchers for spoofing anti-ship missiles
• Torpedo Countermeasures:
  • Two AN/SLQ-25 Nixie towed systems
• Noise Reduction:
  • Prairie-Masker system reduces radiated noise
• NBC Protection:
  • First U.S. warships with air-filtration against nuclear, biological, chemical warfare
  • Double air-locked hatches, pressurized compartments, external washdown system
• Electronics:
  • Hardened against electromagnetic pulses (EMP)
• Fire Suppression:
  • Water sprinklers in living quarters and Combat Information Center (CIC)

Weapon Systems

• Multi-Mission Capability:
  • Anti-aircraft, land attack, ship-to-ship, and anti-submarine warfare
• Vertical Launching System (VLS):
  • Flights I–II: 90 cells
  • Flight IIA onward: 96 cells
  • Payload includes Tomahawk, SM-2, SM-3, SM-6, ESSM, and ASROC missiles
• Combat System:
  • Aegis Combat System integrates sensors and weapons for advanced tracking and fire control
  • Resistant to electronic countermeasures
• Radars:
  • AN/SPY-1D (PESA) on Flights I–II
  • AN/SPY-6 (AESA) on Flight III
• Air Defense Missiles:
  • SM-2MR/ER and SM-6 for area defense and secondary anti-ship roles
  • ESSM (Block 1 SARH, Block 2 ARH) for medium-range defense
• Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD):
  • SM-3 (exoatmospheric interceptor)
  • SM-6 and SM-2ER Block IV (terminal phase defense)
  • By 2023, 51 ships upgraded with BMD capability
• Anti-Ship Missiles:
  • Flights I–II: Harpoon launchers (4–8 missiles, 65+ nmi range)
  • DDG-62 tested Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in RIMPAC 2024
  • Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) tested for VLS compatibility
• Land Attack:
  • Tomahawk Block V upgrades (Va Maritime Strike, Vb Joint Multi-Effects Warhead)
• ASW Systems:
  • AN/SQQ-89 system integrated with Aegis
  • AN/SQS-53C bow sonar + towed arrays (AN/SQR-19 or TB-37U)
  • RUM-139 VL-ASROC standoff rockets
  • Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes (Mark 46, 50, 54 torpedoes)
  • Mine detection range ~1,400 meters
• Close-In Defense:
  • Phalanx CIWS (all ships)
  • SeaRAM CIWS on eight ships (DDG-51, 64, 71, 75, 78, 80, 84, 117)
• Guns & Crew Weapons:
  • 5-inch (127 mm) Mark 45 gun (16–20 rounds/min, 13 nmi range, 680 rounds stowed)
  • 25 mm Mk 38 autocannons (2 mounts)
  • M2 Browning heavy machine guns (crew-served)
• Directed Energy Weapons:
  • ODIN (Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy) on six ships (DDG-100, 104, 105, 106, 111, 113)
  • HELIOS (High Energy Laser) on DDG-88

Aviation

• Helicopters:
  • Flights I & II: No hangars, flight deck only
  • Flights IIA & III: Two hangars for MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
• LAMPS III System:
  • Enhances ASW and surface warfare capabilities
  • MH-60 can deploy torpedoes, missiles, and provide fire support
  • Utility roles: vertical replenishment, SAR, medevac, comms relay, gunfire spotting
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs):
  • AAI Aerosonde UAV tested in 2022 for Flights I & II
  • Provides ISR missions at lower cost than manned helicopters

Development of the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

Origins and Flight I

• Admiral Elmo Zumwalt (CNO 1970–1974):
  • Advocated modernization through a "high-low mix" fleet strategy.
  • High-end: Aegis-equipped Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
  • Low-end: Aegis-equipped destroyers to replace aging Charles F. Adams, Farragut, Leahy, and Belknap classes.
• Design Studies:
  • Initiated in 1980 with seven contractors.
  • Reduced to three by 1983: Bath Iron Works, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Todd Shipyards.
• Contracts:
  • Bath Iron Works awarded $321.9 million to build USS Arleigh Burke (lead ship).
  • Gibbs & Cox selected as lead design agent.
  • Ingalls Shipbuilding contracted for the second ship.
• Design Restrictions:
  • No helicopter hangars.
  • Displacement limit: 8,300 tons.
  • Hull 50 ft shorter than Ticonderoga.
  • Wide flaring bow for seakeeping.
  • Gas turbines upgraded from 80,000 shp to 100,000 shp.
  • Main gun evolved from OTO Melara 76 mm to 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45.
  • All-steel superstructure for survivability.
• Construction & Commissioning:
  • USS Arleigh Burke laid down: 6 December 1988.
  • Launched: 16 September 1989.
  • Commissioned: 4 July 1991 in Norfolk, Virginia, attended by Admiral Burke.
• Cost:
  • First ship: $1.1 billion (plus $778 million for weapons systems).
• Procurement:
  • Flight I ships continued through FY1992.

Flight II

• Introduced: FY1992.
• Upgrades:
  • AN/SRS-1A(V) Combat Direction Finding for enhanced signal detection.
  • TADIX-B, JTIDS Command and Control Processor, and Link 16 for improved communications.
  • SLQ-32 EW suite upgraded to (V)3.
  • SPS-67(V)3 radar upgraded to (V)5.
• Capabilities:
  • Launch and control of SM-2ER Block IV missiles.
• Design Changes:
  • Expanded fuel capacity.
  • Slight increase in displacement.

Flight III (1988 Design Study)

• Concept: Began in 1988 as a major redesign.
• Key Features:
  • 40 ft plug amidships for more combat system volume.
  • Flush deck configuration.
  • Hangars for two SH-60B LAMPS III helicopters.
  • Compatibility with RUM-125 Sea Lance.
  • 32 additional VLS cells forward.
  • Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).
  • Integrated Anti-Ship Missile Defense systems.
  • Air warfare commander facilities (similar to Ticonderoga-class).
• Technological Improvements:
  • AN/SAR-8 infrared search and track system.
  • Fiber optic cables replacing copper for bandwidth and weight reduction.
  • AG9140 generators (3,000 kW each).
  • Blast-resistant bulkheads for damage containment.
• Planned Procurement: FY1994.
• Cancellation: December 1990 due to reduced tensions and cost concerns.

Flight IIA

• Origins: Developed after Flight III cancellation (Destroyer Variant study, 1991).
• Design Philosophy:
  • More economical than Flight III.
  • Retained helicopter facilities.
  • Focused on land attack, littoral warfare, and reduced operating costs.
• Mandated Deletions:
  • Harpoon missile launchers removed (reinstallation possible).
  • AN/SQR-19 TACTAS removed.
  • Phalanx CIWS initially removed (pending ESSM availability).
• Procurement: Began FY1994.
• Key Features:
  • Two hangars for LAMPS helicopters (outboard of aft VLS).
  • Length increased to 509.5 ft.
  • Rear-facing SPY-1D arrays mounted higher to eliminate blind spots.
  • CEC, fiber optic cables, blast-resistant bulkheads, AG9140 generators.
  • Kingfisher mine detection system.
  • Six additional VLS cells (replacing reloading cranes).
  • Redesigned propellers to reduce cavitation.
• Armament Changes:
  • Phalanx CIWS retained temporarily, later reintroduced aft starting with USS Gravely (DDG-107).
• Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM):
  • Program initiated in 1996 to extend 5-inch gun range to 63 nmi.
  • Required 5-inch/62-caliber Mark 45 Mod 4 gun (installed on DDG-81 onward).
  • ERGM canceled in 2008.
• Later Modifications:
  • USS Mason (DDG-87): BridgeMaster E radar replaced SPS-73(V)12.
  • DDG-86 onward: Composite hangars.
  • DDG-89 onward: Exhaust funnels shrouded.
  • USS Pinckney (DDG-91): SPY-1D(V) radar introduced.
• Minehunting Capability:
  • DDGs 91–96 built with superstructure changes for AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System.
  • RMS program canceled in 2016.

Modernization of the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

Modernization Program Overview

• Purpose: Mid-life upgrades to extend service life to at least 35 years.
• Goals:
  • Reduced manning.
  • Increased mission effectiveness.
  • Reduced total cost.
• Phases for Flight I & II:
  • Phase 1: Hull, mechanical, and electrical (HM&E) upgrades.
  • Phase 2: Aegis Combat System upgrades + Open Architecture Computing Environment (OACE).
• Flight IIA Modernization:
  • Combined single process including both phases.
• Capabilities of Modernized Ships:
  • Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).
  • Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).
  • ESSM support.
  • SEWIP Block 2 electronic warfare improvements.
  • Boeing Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System.
  • Enhanced littoral warfare performance.

Contracts and Upgrades

• 2010: BAE Systems awarded contract to modernize 11 ships.
• 2014:
  • 21 of 28 Flight I & II ships received limited $170 million HM&E upgrades.
  • 7 Flight I ships (DDGs 51–53, 57, 61, 65, 69) received full $270 million Baseline 9 upgrade.
  • Budget cuts under the Budget Control Act of 2011 influenced decisions.

Hybrid-Electric Drive (HED)

• 2016 Announcement: Plan to outfit 34 Flight IIA ships with HED.
• Purpose:
  • Improve fuel efficiency at speeds under 13 knots.
  • Extend time on station by 2.5 days before refueling.
• 2018 Update: USS Truxtun (DDG-103) selected for testing.
• Outcome: Broader installation halted due to budget priorities.

Self-Protection Upgrades

• 2016: Four U.S. 6th Fleet destroyers (USS Carney, USS Ross, USS Donald Cook, USS Porter) received SeaRAM CIWS replacing one Phalanx CIWS.
• Later Additions: USS Arleigh Burke, USS Roosevelt, USS Bulkeley, USS Paul Ignatius also forward-deployed to Rota with SeaRAM.

Directed Energy Weapons

• 2018: Lockheed Martin contracted to deliver HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance).
  • 60+ kW class, scalable to 120 kW.
  • Effective against UAVs and small boats up to 8 km.
• 2019: USS Dewey (DDG-105) received ODIN (Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy).
  • Functions as a dazzler to blind or disable drone sensors.
• 2022: HELIOS delivered to USS Preble (DDG-88).
• 2024: USS Preble successfully tested HELIOS against a cruise missile.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Upgrades

• 2018: Western Pacific-based ships upgraded with TB-37U MFTA sonar arrays, replacing AN/SQR-19 TACTAS.

Weapon System Modernization

• 2019: Navy began procuring Mk 38 Mod 4 machine gun system.
  • Features 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II.
  • Designed to counter UAVs and fast USVs.
  • Planned for Flight IIA and III ships.
• 2020: Proposal to equip all Flights with Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) missile.
  • Too large for Mk 41 VLS cells.
  • Would require removal of some VLS cells.
  • Criticized due to cost and complexity.

DDG MOD 2.0 Program

• Scope: About 20 Flight IIA destroyers.
• Upgrades:
  • SPY-6(V)4 radar.
  • Aegis Baseline 10.
  • Cooling system enhancements.
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)7 EW suite with SEWIP Block 3 electronic attack.
• Smart Start Plan (2021):
  • Four ships (DDGs 91, 93, 95, 97) began transition via DDG MOD 1.5.
  • DDG-91 first to receive SLQ-32(V)7 in 2023.

Point-Defense Changes

• 2025 Plan: Replace Phalanx CIWS with RIM-116 RAM launchers.
  • Latest Aegis baselines: 21-cell Mk 49 RAM.
  • Older Aegis baselines: 11-cell SeaRAM.
  • Configuration for ships with dual Phalanx or mixed Phalanx-SeaRAM remains uncertain.

Production Restart and Continuation

• USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112): Originally intended as final ship of the class.
• 2008: Navy restarted Arleigh Burke production due to Zumwalt-class limitations.
• 2009: Zumwalt class limited to three units; additional Arleigh Burkes ordered.
• 2011 Contracts: DDG-113 to DDG-115 awarded, costing ~$1.843 billion per ship including government-furnished equipment.
• Restart Ships: DDGs 113–115 included modernization features like OACE and TB-37U MFTA.
• Longest Production Run: Arleigh Burke-class has been in production longer than any other U.S. surface combatant.

Future Procurement

• Flight IV Proposal: Considered for 2032–2041, later canceled to fund Columbia-class submarines.
• 2022 Plan: Nine ships (option for tenth) to be built from 2023–2027, two per year.
  • Some lawmakers pushed for three ships in 2023, raising total to eleven.

Flight IIA Technology Insertion

• Ships: DDG-116 to DDG-124 and DDG-127.
• Features: Incorporate elements of Flight III.
  • Example: USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) onward equipped with AN/SPQ-9B radar instead of AN/SPS-67.
• Flight III Proper: Began with USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), procured in 2016.

Flight III (2013) 

Background

• Developed after cancellation of the CG(X) program.

• Detailed design work began in FY2013.

• Planned procurement: 24 Flight III ships from FY2016 to FY2031.

• June 2013: $6.2 billion in contracts awarded.

• Costs increased due to expanded requirements, especially for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) needed for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).

Radar Development

• CG(X) Proposal: AMDR with 22 ft (6.7 m) mid-diameter.

• Flight III Limitation: Could only carry AMDR with 14 ft (4.3 m) mid-diameter.

• GAO Findings: Design considered "marginally effective" due to reduced radar size.

• Navy Response: Asserted DDG-51 hull was fully capable of supporting radar requirements.

AN/SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar

• Type: Active electronically scanned array (AESA) with digital beamforming.

• Comparison:

  • SPY-6 (14 ft / 4.3 m) vs. SPY-1D (12 ft / 3.7 m, passive).

• Performance:

  • 37-RMA SPY-6(V)1 is 30 times more sensitive.

  • Detects objects half the size at twice the distance compared to SPY-1D.

• Integration: Works with Aegis Baseline 10.

Power and Cooling Upgrades

• Generators:

  • Previous: AG9140 (3 MW, 450 V).

  • Upgraded: AG9160 (4 MW, 4,160 V).

• Cooling: Air conditioning plants upgraded for higher capacity.

• Hull Modifications: Strengthened to support added weight.

• Fire Suppression: Halon-based system replaced with water mist system.

Structural Changes

• RHIB storage area enclosed to accommodate additional crew.

• RHIBs stacked vertically to save space.

Operational Status

• Initial Operational Capability (IOC): Achieved in 2024.

• Orders as of January 2025: 24 Flight III ships.

• Future Procurement: U.S. Navy may acquire up to 42 Flight III ships, bringing the total Arleigh Burke-class fleet to 117 ships.