List of destroyer classes of the United States Navy

A member of the Arleigh Burke class, the only class to have members in commission with the United States Navy as of 2009. (Destroyer pictured: USS Gridley (DDG-101))

The first automotive torpedo was developed in 1866, and the torpedo boat was developed soon after. In 1898, while the Spanish–American War was being fought in the Caribbean and the Pacific, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt wrote that torpedo boats were the only threat to the American navy, and pushed for the acquisition of torpedo boat destroyers. Later that year, Congress authorized the first sixteen destroyers of the United States Navy in two different classes.

In World War I, the U.S. Navy began mass-producing destroyers, laying 273 keels. Between 1918—1941, many of these were laid up. Additionally, treaties regulated destroyer construction. During World War II, the United States began building destroyers with five-gun main batteries, but without stability problems.

The first major warship produced by the U.S. Navy after World War II (and in the Cold War) were "frigates"—the ships were actually designated destroyer leaders but later reclassified as guided missile destroyers. Other classes were produced, including the last all-gun destroyers. A special class was produced for the Shah of Iran, but due to the Iranian Revolution these ships could not be delivered and were added to the U.S. Navy.

The Arleigh Burke class, introduced in 1991, has been the U.S. Navy's only destroyer class in commission since 2005; construction is expected to continue through at least 2012. A future class, Zumwalt, is also planned. The Zumwalt class is expected to number three ships.

Contents

Pre-World War I

The first destroyer of the United States Navy, the USS Bainbridge, around 1915-1916.

In 1864, US Navy Lt. William B. Cushing sank the ironclad CSS Albemarle using a "spar torpedo"—an explosive device mounted on a long pole and detonated underwater.[1] Two years later in Austria, the British engineer Robert Whitehead developed a compressed air "automotive" torpedo; capable of 6–8 knots (3.1–4.1 m/s) over a distance of 200–400 yards (180–370 m).[1] The threat a small, fast, torpedo–delivering ship could pose to the battle line became clear to navies around the world; giving birth to the torpedo boat, including the USS Cushing of the United States Navy.[1]

During the Spanish–American War, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt wrote torpedo boats were "the only real menace" to the fleet blockading Santiago; and pushed for the acquisition of torpedo boats and torpedo boat destroyers.[2] As President, Theodore Roosevelt continued to pay close attention to naval affairs, including the expansion of the Navy's fleet of destroyers.[2]

Congress authorized 16 torpedo boat destroyers, which had joined the fleet by 1903.[2] The first torpedo boat destroyers, the Bainbridge class, featured two torpedo tubes and two 3 inch guns, weighing 400 short tons (360 t).[1] The Smith and Paulding classes weighted 740 short tons (670 t), the reason these classes were nicknamed "flivvers" (lightweights).[2] By the time the United States entered World War I, destroyers weighed 1,000 short tons (910 t) and burned oil instead of coal.[1] These "1000 tonners" were armed with eight torpedo tubes, four 4 inch/50 caliber guns; and had a crew of almost 100.[2] The 1000 tonners were classes Cassin through Sampson, and were also called "broken deckers", due to the high forecastles.[2]

Class name Number of ships First ship laid down Last ship commissioned Notes References
Bainbridge 13 1899 1902 Part of the original 16 "torpedo boat destroyers" authorized by Congress.[2] [3][4][5]
Truxtun 3 1899 1903 Part of the original 16 "torpedo boat destroyers" authorized by Congress.[2] [6][7][8]
Smith 5 1908 1909 Known as "flivvers" for their lightweight of 740 tons.[2] [9][10][11]
Paulding 21 1909 1912 Known as "flivvers" for their lightweight of 740 tons.[2] [12][13][14]
Cassin 4 1912 1913 Known as "broken deckers" for their high forecastles, or "1000  tonners" because of their weight.[2] [15][16][17]
Aylwin 4 1912 1914 Known as "broken deckers" for their high forecastles, or "1000  tonners" because of their weight.[2] [18][19][20]
O'Brien 6 1913 1915 Known as "broken deckers" for their high forecastles, or "1000 tonners" because of their weight.[2] [21][22][23]
Tucker 6 1914 1916 Known as "broken deckers" for their high forecastles, or "1000 tonners" because of their weight.[2] [24][25][26]
Sampson 6 1915 1917 Known as "broken deckers" for their high forecastles, or "1000 tonners" because of their weight.[2] [27][28][29]

World War I

USS Wickes in harbor; circa early 1920s.

Prior to entering World War I in 1917, the United States began producing destroyers to a new design with a continuous sheer strake, collectively referred to as "flush deckers." Six prototypes of the Caldwell class were dissimilar: three had three stacks; two of these also had three screws. The others of this and the 267 ships of the mass-production Wickes and Clemson classes that followed all had two screws. As built, they also had four stacks, which gave rise to the nicknames "four stackers" or "four pipers".[1][30] Eleven shipyards participated in their construction, which peaked in 1917 and 1918. By the time of the armistice, November 11, 1918, keels for 177 ships had been laid and 41 had joined the fleet. Though the remaining ships were not needed in peacetime, the building program continued and by the end of May 1921, all but four of the 273 flush-deckers had been placed in commission. The final two did not follow until August 1922.[1][30]

While the flush-deckers' freeboard fore and aft were designed to match preceding classes, the new ships differed in other respects.[30] The waist guns were moved to a platform amidships, the galley beneath them; and a bulwark between the galley and the bridge.[31]

The standard displacement of the flush deck destroyers was 1,200 ± 90 long tons (1,200 ± 91 t), the length approximately 314 feet (96 m), the beam measured approximately 31 feet (9.4 m), and the draft approximately 116 inches (2.9 m).[30] A typical flush deck destroyer had a normal crew of 105 officers and men, and was armed with four 4-inch deck guns, one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun, 12 21-inch torpedo tubes, two stern-mounted depth charge racks, along with 50 caliber machine guns and small arms.[30] The mass-produced classes also had four boilers providing steam to a pair of turbines, each of which drove a 9-foot-diameter (2.7 m) screw at a combined 27,000 shaft horsepower (20 MW) for a top speed of about 33 knots (17 m/s).[30]

Class name Number of ships First ship laid down Last ship commissioned Notes References
Caldwell 6 1916 1920 Called flush deckers due to lack of raised forecastle.[30] [32]
Wickes 111 1917 1921 Called flush deckers due to lack of raised forecastle.[30] Sometimes, Wickes class destroyers are split into four categories: Wickes class, 38 ships; Little class, 52 ships; Lamberton class, 11 ships; and Tattnall class, 10 ships.[33] [33]
Clemson 156 1918 1922 Called flush deckers due to lack of raised forecastle.[30] [34][35][36]

Between the world wars

USS Farragut, a Farragut class destroyer, circa 1935.

After the end of World War I, there was little need for the destroyers built, so many were laid up, and fourteen had their torpedo tubes removed and were converted to minesweepers.[30] On September 8, 1923, seven of the ships ran aground off the coast of California—the U.S. Navy's worst ever peacetime disaster.[30]

In 1922, the Washington Naval Treaty, was signed by the United States, the British Empire, the Empire of Japan, France, and Italy.[1] The treaty called for a freeze in size and composition of the world's major navies, including the U.S. Navy, which ceased production of large capital ships.[1] The London Naval Treaty, a 1930 agreement between the same parties, established total destroyer tonnage limits for the navies.[1] The treaty also defined two categories: destroyer and destroyer leader; along with the maximum tonnage of each category, and the allowable ratio of one category to another.[1]

In the London Naval Treaty, destroyers were established as "surface vessels of war the Standard Displacement (S.D.) of which does not exceed 1,850 tons and with a gun not above 5.1 inch caliber.", as published in Ship’s Data for U.S. Naval Vessels.[1] The “total completed tonnage not to be exceeded on December 31, 1936” was 150,000 S.D., but “not more than 16% of the allowed tonnage... shall be employed in vessels over 1,500 tons S.D.”.[1] The new, higher limits rendered the existing flush-deckers obsolete, and the General Board soon moved to replace them.[1] Since Japan was considered a probable adversary, the General Board replaced the four stackers with ships that could carry large quantities of fuel, ammunition, and supplies as needed to conduct operations across the vast Pacific Ocean.[1]

The U.S. Navy resumed destroyer construction in 1932 with the Farragut class. For the next seven years, the United States Navy constructed "1500 tonners", or "goldplaters".[37] The goldplaters earned this name because of the "over–lavish facilities", which drew comment from seasoned destroyermen.[37] The armament of the Farragut and Mahan class destroyers initially included five 5 inch guns, a number later reduced to four due to stability problems.[1] The 1500 ton Mahan, Dunlap, Gridley, Bagley, and Benham classes, the 1570 ton Sims class, and the Porter and Somers class destroyer leaders were all laid down in quick succession following the original goldplaters.[37]

The Gleaves and Benson classes were similar in design to the Sims class, but had two stacks and a "split" powerplant for extra endurance against torpedo attacks.[1]

Class name Number of ships First ship laid down Last ship commissioned Notes References
Farragut 8 1932 1935 Known as "1500 tonners" due to their weight, or "goldplaters" due to the luxury as compared to previous classes.[37] [38]
Porter 8 1933 1937 The first of the 1850 ton "leaders."[37] [39]
Mahan 18 1934 1937 The first 1500 tonners with high-pressure high-temperature propulsion machinery.[37] The last two ships of the Mahan class are sometimes considered the Dunlap class.[40] [41]
Gridley 4 1935 1938 Repeat 1500 tonners built by Bethlehem Steel.[37] [42]
Bagley 8 1935 1937 Repeat 1500 tonners similar to the Mahan class.[37] [43]
Somers 5 1935 1939 Repeat 1850 ton leaders modified from the Porter class design.[37] [44][45][46]
Benham 10 1936 1939 The last 1500 tonners.[37] [47]
Sims 12 1937 1940 The first U.S. Navy destroyer class unconstrained by treaty limitations.[37] [48]
Gleaves 66 1938 1943 A "split powerplant" modification of the Sims class.[37] Gleaves class was originally divided into the Livermore (24 ships) and Bristol (42 ships) classes.[49] [50]
Benson 30 1938 1943 Bethlehem design similar to and built concurrent with the Gleaves class.[37] [51]

World War II

USS Aulick, February 24, 1945.

On December 7, 1941, the day the United States entered World War II, the United States Navy had 100 destroyers seven years old or newer.[1] This number included 27 Benson and Gleaves class destroyers.[1] However, none were equipped with torpedoes comparable to the Type 93 torpedos of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and only destroyer leaders had more than four main guns—weaker than the five- to eight-guns on a Japanese Fubuki class destroyer.[1]

After World War II broke out across Europe in 1939, the United States Navy began sketches for a five-gun ship— on an enlarged hull. Introduced in 1942, the 175 Fletcher class "2100 tonners".[52] became the U.S. Navy's signature destroyer in the Pacific War. By the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy had also commissioned 112 six-gun destroyers derived from the Fletcher design; 67 Allen M. Sumner class 2200 tonners and 45 Gearing class 2250 tonners.[1] The Allen M. Sumner class' hull was slightly wider than the Fletcher class' while the Gearing class design was a lengthened version of the Sumners.[1] Collectively, these destroyer designs are sometimes regarded as the most successful of World War II.[1]

Class name Number of ships First ship laid down Last ship commissioned Notes References
Fletcher 175 1941 1944 The U.S. Navy's first large destroyers and the most numerous of the wartime classes.[1][52] [52]
Allen M. Sumner 58 1943 1946 A six-gun derivative of the Fletcher design.[1] 70 ships were originally laid down as Allen M. Sumner class, but 12 were completed as Robert H. Smith class fast minelayers.[53] [53][54]
Gearing 98 1944 1952 "Long hull" versions of the Allen M. Sumner class.[1] [55]

Cold War and beyond

USS Spruance in 1987.

The first major warship the U.S. Navy constructed after World War II was an all-weather, anti-submarine hunter-killer, designated "destroyer leader" (DL), but referred to as a "frigate".[56] In 1975, the twelve remaining Mitscher- and Farragut- classes were reclassified as guided missile destroyers (DDGs 35-46).[56]

Derived from the Fletcher concept, the all-gun Forrest Sherman class destroyer was the successor to the Fletcher, the Allen M. Sumner, and the Gearing classes.[57] The following Charles F. Adams classes added a guided missile launcher on an enlarged hull.[57]

The Spruance class was designed to serve as all-weather anti-submarine defense for aircraft carrier task forces.[58] The Spruance class destroyers were the first ships in the United States Navy powered with gas turbines—four marine jet engines driving two shafts with reversible-pitch propellers.[58] The Kidd class were four enlarged Spruance class destroyers, intended for the Iranian Navy.[59] In 1979, a revolution took place in Iran, the Shah was dethroned but instead of cancelling the four ships, they were taken into the U.S. Navy.[59]

The USS Arleigh Burke, the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke class, was the first destroyer named after a living person—World War I Admiral Arleigh Burke. At her commissioning, the USS Arleigh Burke was extolled as the most powerful surface warship ever built.[60] The USS Arleigh Burke is one-third longer and correspondingly heavier than the Fletcher class destroyers of the squadron Burke commanded in World War II; but about the same complement.[60] The Arleigh Burke class destroyers were based around the Aegis Combat System, like the larger Ticonderoga class cruisers.[61] The Arleigh Burke class is was introduced in three "flights": Flight I, composed of 27 ships; Flight II, composed of 7 ships; and Flight IIA.[60][62][63] The Arleigh Burke class became the U.S. Navy's only active destroyer class when the last member of the Spruance class was decommissioned in 2005.[58]

The Zumwalt class destroyer, a future class, is planned to cost US$3.3 billion for the first unit; subsequent units will cost an estimated US$2.5 billion; however, the average cost could rise to US$5 billion or more.[64]

Class name Number of ships First ship laid down Last ship commissioned Notes References
Mitscher 4 1949 1954 Originally designated "destroyer leader".[56] [56]
Forrest Sherman 18 1953 1959 Derived from the Fletcher concept.[57] [65][66][67]
Farragut 10 1956 1961 Originally designated "destroyer leader".[56] The Farragut class of the Cold War was also called the Coontz class.[68] [68]
Charles F. Adams 23 1957 1964 Guided missile derivative of the Forrest Sherman class.[57] [69]
Spruance 31 1972 1980 First United States Navy ship to use gas turbines.[58] [58]
Kidd 4 1978 1982 The Kidd class was based upon the Spruance class, but enlarged for the Iranian Navy.[59] [59]
Arleigh Burke 56 (9+ planned) 1988 Ships still being built.[64] Lead ship was first destroyer to be named after living man.[60] [61][64][70]
Zumwalt 0 (3+ planned) 2008 Future class.[64] [64][71]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 "Destroyer History — Introduction". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/destroyers/introduction.html. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 "Early US Navy Destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/early/index.html. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
  3. ↑ "Bainbridge Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Bainbridge.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  4. ↑ "Bainbridge". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b1/bainbridge-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  5. ↑ "Stewart". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stewart-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  6. ↑ "Truxtun Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Truxtun.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  7. ↑ "Truxtun". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t9/truxtun-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  8. ↑ "Worden". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w11/worden-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  9. ↑ "Smith Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Smith.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  10. ↑ "Smith". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s14/smith-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  11. ↑ "Reid". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r4/reid-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  12. ↑ "Paulding Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Paulding.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  13. ↑ "Paulding". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p3/paulding.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  14. ↑ "Jenkins". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j2/jenkins-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  15. ↑ "Cassin Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Cassin.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  16. ↑ "DD-43 USS Cassin (HULL 58)". gdbiw.com. Bath Iron Works. http://www.gdbiw.com/image_gallery/Bath_Built_Ships/0058_c_DD-43/default.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  17. ↑ "Duncan". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d6/duncan-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  18. ↑ "Aylwin Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Alywin.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  19. ↑ "Aylwin". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a15/aylwin-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  20. ↑ "Balch". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b1/balch-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  21. ↑ "O'Brien Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-O%27Brien.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  22. ↑ "O'Brien". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o1/obrien-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  23. ↑ "Ericsson". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/ericsson-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  24. ↑ "Tucker Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Tucker.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  25. ↑ "Tucker". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t9/tucker-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  26. ↑ "Wainwright". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w1/wainwright-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  27. ↑ "Sampson Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Sampson.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  28. ↑ "Sampson". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s4/sampson-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  29. ↑ "Shaw". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s11/shaw-i.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
  30. ↑ 30.00 30.01 30.02 30.03 30.04 30.05 30.06 30.07 30.08 30.09 30.10 "Flush-deck destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/index.html. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  31. ↑ Friedman, Norman; Arthur David Baker (2004). U.S. destroyers: an illustrated history (revised; illustrated ed.). Naval Institute Press. pp. 35. ISBN 9781557504425. http://books.google.com/books?id=Tzp58htKLkEC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=flush+decker&source=bl&ots=PGUIHfA4BN&sig=cRUbzz7O-oJKN4GygSIgHNybHqA&hl=en&ei=WUgtSvfKCpWyNKWWjMUJ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#PPA35,M1. 
  32. ↑ "Caldwell-class flush-deck destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/caldwellclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Wickes- and Clemson-class flush-deck destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/wickesclass.html. 
  34. ↑ "Clemson Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Clemson.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  35. ↑ "CLEMSON". Naval Vessel Register. Department of the Navy. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DD186.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  36. ↑ "Pruitt". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p13/pruitt.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  37. ↑ 37.00 37.01 37.02 37.03 37.04 37.05 37.06 37.07 37.08 37.09 37.10 37.11 37.12 "Goldplaters, 1500-ton destroyers, and 1850-ton destroyer leaders". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
  38. ↑ "Farragut-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/farragutclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  39. ↑ "Porter-class destroyer leaders in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/porterclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  40. ↑ "USS Dunlap (DD 384), Mahan (Dunlap)-class destroyer". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/ussdunlap.html. 
  41. ↑ "Mahan-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/mahanclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  42. ↑ "Gridley-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/gridleyclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  43. ↑ "Bagley-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/bagleyclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  44. ↑ "Somers Class". destroyers.org. Tin Can Sailors. http://www.destroyers.org/Class/cl-Somers.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  45. ↑ "Somers". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s15/somers-v.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  46. ↑ "Jouett". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j4/jouett-ii.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  47. ↑ "Benham-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/benhamclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  48. ↑ "Sims-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/simsclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  49. ↑ "Benson-class, Gleaves-class, Livermore-class, and Bristol-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/index.html. 
  50. ↑ "Gleaves-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/gleavesclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  51. ↑ "Benson-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/bensonclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "Fletcher-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletcherclass/index.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/sumner-gearingclass/allenmsumnerclass.html. 
  54. ↑ "USS Henley (DD-762), Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/sumner-gearingclass/762henley_01.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  55. ↑ "Gearing-class destroyers in World War II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/sumner-gearingclass/gearingclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 "US Navy "Frigates" 1950-1975 in the cold war". destroyerhistory.org. Department of the Navy. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/coldwar/destroyerleaders.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 "US Navy post-World War II gun destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/coldwar/destroyers.html. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 58.4 "Spruance-class guided missile destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/coldwar/spruanceclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 "DDG-993 KIDD-class". fas.org. Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/surfacewarfare/ddg993.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 60.3 "Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/arleighburkeclass/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 "General Characteristics, Arleigh Burke class". The US Navy -- Fact File. Department of the Navy. 20 April 2009. http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  62. ↑ "Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Flights I and II". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/arleighburkeclass/flighti.html. Retrieved 2009-06-02. 
  63. ↑ "Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Flights IIA". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/arleighburkeclass/flightiia.html. Retrieved 2009-06-02. 
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 64.3 64.4 Drew, Christopher (April 8, 2009). "Contractors Agree on Deal to Build Stealth Destroyer". New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/business/09defense.html?_r=2&em. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  65. ↑ "The Forrest Sherman (DD) Class". destroyersonline.com. http://www.destroyersonline.com/usndd/classforr.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  66. ↑ "FORREST SHERMAN". Naval Vessel Register. Department of the Navy. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DD931.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  67. ↑ "Turner Joy". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t9/turner_joy.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 "Farragut-class and Coontz-class frigates in the cold war". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/coldwar/farragutclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  69. ↑ "Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers in the cold war". destroyerhistory.org. Destroyer History Foundation. http://www.destroyerhistory.org/coldwar/charlesfadamsclass.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  70. ↑ "Arleigh Burke". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a12/arleigh_burke.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  71. ↑ "Defense Acquisitions: Cost to Deliver Zumwalt-class destroyers Likely to Exceed Budget". gao.gov. Government Accountability Office. http://www.gao.gov/htext/d08804.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 

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