Five of the former together with 21 of
the latter have a ballistic missile defence (BMD) role, either as detection/tracking platforms or as full interception platforms with the RIM-161 SM-3 missile. Until last year this capability was deployed exclusively by the Pacific Fleet but it has been extended to the Atlantic Fleet (although 2nd Fleet headquarters is to be disbanded in the near future) with a successful tracing exercise involving the USS Monterey (CG 61), Ramage (DDG 61) and Gonzalez (DDG 66) in January. Washington’s intention is to extend to
its NATO allies the same BMD capability which it has provided to its friends in eastern Asia. But there is a problem for all 22 of the Ticonderogas have recently been reported to be suffering cracks in the aluminium superstructure. In the latest, and worse, case the USS Port
Royal (CG 73) has had to return to Pearl Harbor for a package of repairs costing US$14 million after a 2.4m-long crack was discovered high in the superstructure, possibly near one of the phased array radar antennas. The package, which includes work on gas turbine intakes and a fuel oil storage tank, would keep the ship in Pearl Harbor until February. The US Navy admits the problem is
endemic throughout the class with more than 3000 cracks found, although none as severe as the Port Royal, the last-of- class. Te problem is that the alloy used for 52 years (a different one is used in the LCS) becomes vulnerable to stress fractures over the years. It is especially worrying because the cruisers form 19% of the BMD force and the US Navy hopes to have some solutions by the spring. Te other element of the BMD force, the Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class destroyers, have suffered even more severe structural problems. Damage to the hulls causing, in some
cases, permanent deformation has affected at least 20% of the class. Ships known to have been effected accounted for 22% of the smaller Arleigh Burke BMD force in 2007. Tis is not the only bad news, however,
because the latest dock landing platforms, the much-troubled San Antonio (LPD 17) class, have received a damning report from the Defense Department. Some 10 vessels have been ordered, although
Warship Technology March 2011
The FY12 budget request will accelerate design and construction of a new class that will replace the Powhatan (T-ATF 166) fleet ocean tugs.
USS Freedom conducts a replenishment at sea.
at one time 12 were planned, and they are being produced by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at yards in Louisiana and Mississippi. Tere have been production problems,
exacerbated by Hurricane Katrina, and costs have grown, schedules have slipped and some of the earlier ships displayed construction problems which have restricted deployment. Dr J Michael
Gilmore, the Defense Department’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation delivered a damning verdict on the class in a report to Congress entitle Combined Operational and Live Fire Test and Evaluation. His assessment is based upon classified material but he has publicly stated the ships are ‘not effective, not suitable, and not survivable in a combat situation, only in a benign environment.’ He did state the ships would withstand
enemy fire better than their predecessors but ultimately lacked survivability. Te report comes as Defense Secretary Dr Robert M Gates repeatedly questions the concept of conventional amphibious landings but
also raises questions
about Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding which the parent company intends to sell. Plans for the future Arleigh Burke (DDG
51) class have become clearer. Te decision to abandon the Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class at three ships has led to the re-instatement of the Arleigh Burkes with the first three ships (DDG 113-115) being Flight IIA ships, with the last being delivered in 2016. Tey will have the Aegis BMD 5.0 system with AN/USG 2 Co-operative Engagement Capability and a gigabit Ethernet data multiplexing system, AN/SYQ-27 weapon control system and AN/SQQ-89 A (V)15 sonar suite with the multi-function towed array (MFTA) active-passive sonar supporting LAMPS Mk 3 Block 2. Six improved Flight IIA (DDG 116-121)
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