Arleigh Burke class destroyer

The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers are built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The first ship was commissioned on 4 July 1991.

Related Topics:
Aegis combat system - SPY-1D - 4 July - 1991

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The Arleigh Burke class are among the largest destroyers ever built (larger is the Ticonderoga class of cruisers, which were constructed as destroyers and subsequently redesignated as cruisers), and certainly among the most powerful. According to Bath Iron Works promotional material, Arleigh Burke is ton for ton the most powerful warship ever built.

Related Topics:
''Ticonderoga'' class - Cruiser - Bath Iron Works

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The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous destroyer officer of World War II. Admiral Burke was alive when the class leader was commissioned, and his words to the plank crew echo in the class's distinguished service to date: "This ship is built to fight; you'd better know how."

Related Topics:
Admiral - Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke - World War II - Class leader

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One Arleigh Burke class ship has been damaged by enemy action: Cole was damaged by a powerful improvised explosive device delivered by a suicide boat in October 2000 in Aden, Yemen (see USS Cole bombing). Thanks to skillful damage control, the ship was saved and returned to action in 2001.

Related Topics:
''Cole'' - Improvised explosive device - October - 2000 - Aden - Yemen - USS Cole bombing - 2001

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The greatly improved "Flight IIA Arleigh Burke" class ship, a major alteration of the class which significantly changed the ship's layout including the addition of two helicopter hangars for improved ASW fighting capability, began with Oscar Austin. The Flight IIA Burke also received improved surface fighting and shore bombardment capability with the introduction of the longer 5"/62 caliber gun on Winston S. Churchill. Some sources have argued that the Flight IIA ships are different enough from the Flight I/II ship that it should be renamed the Oscar Austin class destroyer.

Related Topics:
Helicopter - ASW - ''Oscar Austin'' - ''Winston S. Churchill''

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The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force operates four modified Flight I vessels as the Kongo class. Three more will be commissioned by 2010, these will be upgraded to Flight IIA standard.

Related Topics:
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force - ''Kongo'' class - 2010

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