How Many Destroyers Does the U.S. Navy Have?
The United States Navy is one of the most powerful naval forces in the world, with a diverse fleet of ships that play a crucial role in maintaining national security and defending American interests. One of the key components of the Navy’s fleet is the destroyer, a versatile warship designed for a variety of tasks, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and surface combat. In this article, we will explore the current number of destroyers in the U.S. Navy and provide an overview of the different types of destroyers in service.
Current Number of Destroyers
As of 2023, the U.S. Navy has a total of 62 destroyers in active service, with several more under construction or planned for future production. This number includes:
- Arleigh Burke-class destroyers: 62 ships, with 13 more under construction and 6 planned for future production
- Kidd-class destroyers: 9 ships, with no additional ships planned for construction or production
- Mahan-class destroyers: 0 ships, with no additional ships planned for construction or production (the Mahan-class was retired in 2005)
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is the most common type of destroyer in the U.S. Navy, with 62 ships currently in service. These ships are named after Admiral Arleigh Burke, a Medal of Honor recipient and the longest-serving Chief of Naval Operations in U.S. history. The Arleigh Burke-class is a highly advanced warship, designed to provide multi-mission capabilities, including:
- Anti-submarine warfare: equipped with the AN/SQS-53C sonar system and Mk 50 torpedoes
- Anti-air warfare: equipped with the AN/SPY-1D(V) radar system and Mk 41 vertical launch system
- Surface combat: equipped with the Mk 45 5-inch gun and Phalanx CIWS
- Electronic warfare: equipped with the AN/SLQ-32(V)5 electronic warfare system
Kidd-class Destroyers
The Kidd-class destroyer is a smaller and older type of destroyer, with 9 ships currently in service. These ships were built in the 1980s and 1990s and are named after Admiral Isaac Kidd, a Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action during World War II. The Kidd-class is a more limited-capability warship, designed primarily for:
- Anti-submarine warfare: equipped with the SQS-53 sonar system and Mk 32 torpedoes
- Surface combat: equipped with the Mk 45 5-inch gun and Phalanx CIWS
Mahan-class Destroyers
The Mahan-class destroyer is a retired type of destroyer, with no ships currently in service. These ships were built in the 1950s and 1960s and were designed primarily for:
- Anti-submarine warfare: equipped with the SQS-23 sonar system and Mk 32 torpedoes
- Surface combat: equipped with the Mk 12 5-inch gun and Phalanx CIWS
Future Plans
The U.S. Navy plans to continue building and maintaining a fleet of destroyers to meet its national security and defense requirements. In the coming years, the Navy will:
- Continue production of the Arleigh Burke-class: with 13 additional ships planned for construction and 6 planned for future production
- Retire older destroyers: including the Kidd-class and Mahan-class destroyers
- Develop new technologies: including the development of new radar systems, electronic warfare systems, and missile defense systems
Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S. Navy has a total of 62 destroyers in active service, with several more under construction or planned for future production. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is the most common type of destroyer, with 62 ships currently in service, while the Kidd-class and Mahan-class destroyers are older and smaller types of destroyers that are being retired. The Navy plans to continue building and maintaining a fleet of destroyers to meet its national security and defense requirements, with a focus on developing new technologies and retiring older ships.
