What is a Destroyer?
The U.S. Navy is long recognized as one of the world's foremost and formidable fighting forces, able to engage an enemy of any size from above, on, or below the ocean's surface. The Navy's collective arsenal includes massive aircraft carriers, able to scramble a squadron of fighter jets in a moment's notice, or the nuclear powered Trident submarines, capable of self sustenance for months at a time while submerged. Often overlooked are the Navy's "enforcers," the destroyers.
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History
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Modern destroyer-class warships are direct descendants of the "torpedo boats" of the late 19th century. With the advent of long-range torpedoes came the increased chance of the fleet being attacked in the open sea. As a response, the still fledgling U.S. Navy needed a vessel armed with enough ordinance to defend against the torpedo-launching enemy craft, and still be swift enough for maneuverable action. Eventually, destroyers were outfitted with torpedo tubes themselves, allowing them to assume the role of torpedoing their attackers.
Size
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Size has varied among the various destroyer classes commissioned by the Navy since their inception. The 2009 crop of Ashleigh Burke-class ships measure a full 505 feet from stern to bow, with weights (dependent on their displacement) ranging from 8 ½ tons to nearly 10 tons. With a crew of 276 sailors each, destroyers cruise at a little more than 30 knots, powered by engines rated at 100,000 total horsepower.
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Function
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Originally designed to tackle attacking enemy torpedo crafts head-on, destroyers later took up the task of protecting convoys and defending the fleet's perimeter. Because of their smaller size and ample agility, destroyers are often used for naval special operations, jetting SeAL teams to insertion points and acting in support roles. As the technology becomes available, destroyers continue to be armed with a variety of weapons systems to combat nearly every conceivable threat.
Features
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Most of the modern Ashleigh Burke-class ships are outfitted for numerous situations. Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as a vertical launch system for striking long-distance targets, continue to allow the destroyers to be deployed for any number of missions. Most destroyers' guns measure 40MM or less, in addition to the average size of four to six inch barreled guns used for anti-aircraft purposes. Guided missile capability and high frequency radar systems are the norm on nearly all of the modern class.
Significance
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Destroyers have been used in many naval operations over the years, most recently in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During World War I, destroyers were employed on seek-and-destroy missions, hunting German U-boats. By WWII, submarines had grown more sophisticated and enemy air attacks were more common. The destroyers met the challenge by successfully arming themselves against both threats. From Vietnam on, destroyers were positioned not far from enemy shores to attack land-based targets.
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