Destroyers
Spruance Class--DD
Displacement: 7,800tons
Length: 563 feet
Beam: 55 feet
Speed: 33 knots
Power: Four gas turbines, two shafts,
80,00 shaft horsepower.
Aircraft: Platform for SH-60 Seahawk Helicopter
Armament: Two 5 inch guns
Two Phalanx anti-missile guns
Tomahawk Cruise missiles
Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles.
Two triple torpedo tubes
Farragut Class--DDG-38/DDG-46
Displacement: 6,00 tons
Length: 512 feet
Beam: 52 feet
Speed: 33 knots
Power: four boilers, two shafts,
85,00 shaft horsepower.
Aircraft: none
Armament: One 5 inch guns
Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles.
Two triple torpedo tubes
Iraqi Counterpart--
Iraq has no destroyers, but does maintain an extensive fleet of much smaller patrol craft. These ships, some estimates put the number above 50, pose a threat when used for mine laying operations or if armed with anti-ship missiles such as the Exocet. With Iraq's limited number of ports, these ships have been easy targets for U.S. warships operating in the Gulf region.
Actions in Desert Storm--
U.S. destroyers played an important role in the interception and interrogation of enemy and unfriendly shipping in the Gulf region. With the elimination of the Iraqi Navy's smaller patrol boats, the U.S. destroyers were able to operate without much fear of being taken out by an anti-ship missile. As a platform for Tomahawk missiles, destroyers were also on hand for cruise missile attacks on Iraq should the larger battleships find themselves engaged in other action.
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