The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class is intended to replace the Adams and Coontz class guided-missile destroyers, which have been in service since the early 1960s. The primary mission of the OOG 51 class will be anti-air warfare, for which they will be fitted with the SPY-1D version of the Aegis system, and they will also have significant anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities.

  The first of class is already under construction at the Bath Iron Works, in Maine, and is due to be commissioned in October 1989.  Another two ships will be requested from Congress in FY87, followed by five ships annually in FY88, FY89, and FY90, with a further 11 to follow.

  Following the disastrous fire on the USS Belknap (CV 26), the only aluminium to be used will be on the funnels, the rest of the ships being constructed of steel. In addition, in consequence of the Royal Navy's experience in the South Atlantic War of 1982, armoured protection is to be reintroduced, with some 70 tons (71,000kg) of Kevlar armour being incorporated in the structure to protect vital spaces.
  The early ships of the class will be powered by the proven General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines, but experiments are continuing with the Rankin Closed Cycle Energy Recovery (RACER) system, in which heat from the exhaust gases is used to create steam which drives another turbine. This is estimated to add another 1,000nm to the ship's range. The system is to be tested ill a Military Sealift Command vessel (the Admiral William Callaghan). and if successful could be installed in the ninth ship of the Arleigh Burke class (DDG 59).
  One of the more controversial aspects of the ships' design is that they will not have hangar facilities, though they will have flight decks and be able to refuel and rearm helicopters. This decision was greeted with some incredulity at first. It will certainly impose limitations on single ship deployments. and is obviously now regretted, as it has already been announced that the Improved Arleigh Burke class will have hangar facilities.

  There has been much study in various Western naval design bureaux of the possible advantages of a shorter, beamier hull. The US Navy appears to be following this trend with the Arleigh Burkes, which have a beam-to-length ratio of 1:7.9 compared to 1:10.2 for the Spruance class. These shorter, beamier designs are claimed to confer better sea-keeping qualities as well as improved manouvrability and more usable space.


The Arleigh Burke are poorly armed in as constructed. The greater comparison with Soviet beam incorporated into ships such as those of the this design in comparison Krivak class. whose with destroyers and foredecks bristle with frigates constructed in the weaponry In fact, the 1960s and 1970s is automatic 5in/54 Mk 45 obvious from this drawing gun is highly capable and Another feature clearly has a large magazine shown is the uncluttered below decks, while the foredeck, which leads forward Mk 41 Vertical uninformed critics to Launch System has no conclude that US ships less 29 missiles
 

   The Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS)accommodates Standard SM-2(MA) SAM, ASAOC ASW and Tomahawk SLCM missiles in vertical tubes The VLS magazine comprises a number of basic modules.each with eight missiles in canisters, and one strike-'down module housing five missiles In the Arleigh Burke the forward magazine houses 29 (3x8+5) and the after 61 (7x8+5)missiles

      Weapons
A 5in/45 Mk 45 Mod 1 dual-purpose gun (1x1 )
B Mk 41 Mod 0 32-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for Standard SM-2 (MA) SAM, Tomahawk SSM and Asroc ASW missiles
C Mk 15 20mm Vulcan-Phalanx CIWS (1x1)
D Harpoon SSM (2x4)
E Mk3212.75in ASW torpedo tubes (2x3)
F Mk 41 Mod a 64-cell Vertical Launch System
G Landing decks for LAMPSASW helicopters

Electronics
1 SQS-53C hull-mounted LF sonar
2 SPY-1 D phased array radar
3 SL0-32(V)2 EW system (2x2)
4 SPG-62 illuminator (slaved to Aegis system) for Mk 99 Fire Control System
5 SPS-67 surface search radar
6 SAN-25 Tacan antenna
7 SPG-62 illuminator
8 SPG-62 illuminator
9 SQR-19 towed array sonar