Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer

Full Specifications

Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is the backbone of the modern U.S. Navy surface fleet. Designed for high intensity naval warfare, it combines air defense, missile strike, and anti submarine warfare in a single platform. Since entering service in the early 1990s, the class has remained central to U.S. maritime power projection.

Design Origin and Purpose

Built by Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Arleigh Burke class was developed to counter advanced air and missile threats during the late Cold War. Its primary role is multi mission surface combat operations, including fleet air defense, sea control, and land attack.

Combat Capabilities

The destroyer is powered by four gas turbine engines, allowing speeds above 30 knots and long range endurance. Its core capability is the Aegis Combat System, paired with the SPY 1 phased array radar, enabling simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple air and missile targets. Later Flight IIA and Flight III variants add improved missile defense and sensor performance.

Armament is centered on the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, carrying Tomahawk land attack missiles, Standard surface to air missiles, and ASROC anti submarine weapons. A five inch naval gun supports surface and shore fire missions, while CIWS and SeaRAM provide close range defense.

Operational Use

Arleigh Burke class destroyers operate worldwide with the U.S. Navy, supporting carrier strike groups, ballistic missile defense patrols, and independent deployments. They have seen combat use in the Middle East, Pacific, and European theaters, launching precision strikes and providing air defense for allied forces.

Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer Price

The unit cost of an Arleigh Burke class destroyer varies by flight and configuration. Recent Flight III ships are estimated at around 1.8 to 2.2 billion U.S. dollars per vessel, reflecting advanced radar upgrades and missile defense enhancements.