# Destroyer (DD-147)

> The Arleigh Burke class has the longest production run of any U.S. Navy surface combatant, built in successive 'Flights' up to Flight III with the newer AN/SPY-6 radar, and the Navy may procure up to 117 ships in all. Upgrades have also given the class a ballistic-missile-defense role. Its namesake, Admiral Arleigh Burke, led the 'Little Beavers' destroyer squadron in World War II and later served as Chief of Naval Operations.

- Department: Military (also Tech)
- First published: 2023-12-28
- Last updated: 2023-12-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/destroyer/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1991**: USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) is commissioned

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=destroyer

## Quick facts

- **DD-147-F01**: The class is US Navy guided-missile destroyers. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Up to 117 ships))_
- **DD-147-F02**: USS Arleigh Burke was commissioned in 1991. _(Write-up · Exhibit D (The USS Cole attack))_

## Write-up

The Arleigh Burke class owes its long life to steady upgrades rather than replacement, and its namesake earned his reputation commanding destroyers in combat.

1. **Built in Flights**: The class has been built in successive versions: Flight I, Flight II, Flight IIA and Flight III, which introduced the AN/SPY-6 active electronically scanned radar.
2. **Up to 117 ships**: The U.S. Navy may procure up to 42 Flight III ships, for an overall total of 117 ships in the class.
3. **Missile defense role**: Upgrades to the radar and missiles under the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System have given the class anti-ballistic-missile and anti-satellite capability.
4. **The USS Cole attack**: USS Cole was damaged on 12 October 2000 while docked in Aden, Yemen, by an attack using a shaped charge.
5. **The Little Beavers**: Arleigh Burke's Destroyer Squadron 23, the 'Little Beavers', fought in 22 engagements in four months after covering the Bougainville landings in November 1943.

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## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Destroyer: Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers Carry the Aegis Radar System

- Duration: 17.4 s · Published: 2023-12-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1Z7TORpwo2.mp4

### Transcript

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, a prominent class of destroyers in the U.S. Navy, is known for its versatility. DID YOU KNOW? These ships are equipped with the Aegis Combat System, a highly advanced radar and missile guidance system. Named after Admiral Arleigh Burke, these destroyers serve various roles, from air defense to anti-submarine warfare. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which navy operates the Arleigh Burke class?**  
A: Guided-missile destroyers. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built in Flights) · Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)_

**Q: When was the lead ship commissioned?**  
A: USS Arleigh Burke. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (The USS Cole attack) · Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)_

**Q: About how many have been commissioned?**  
A: A long-running class. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built in Flights) · Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)_

**Q: Which combat system do they use?**  
A: With phased-array radar. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Built in Flights) · Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)_

**Q: Who was Arleigh Burke?**  
A: Later Chief of Naval Operations. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (The Little Beavers) · Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh_Burke-class_destroyer)
- [Wikipedia: Arleigh Burke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh_Burke)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Destroyer." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-147, last updated Dec 28, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/destroyer/