According to information published by the US DoD on March 15, 2023, OPNAV N96 recently approved a five-year service life extension for USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51).
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Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Arleigh Burke. (Picture source: US DoD)
First-in-class Arleigh Burke’s estimated service life was 35 years, expected to expire in FY 2026, but efforts began early last year to request additional service time for the ship. The approval extension carries the ship out through FY 2031 now, when the ship will be 40 years old.
A DDG modernization program is underway to provide a comprehensive mid-life upgrade that will ensure the DDG 51 class possesses the latest long-range fires and terminal defense capabilities.
The modernization changes are also being introduced to new construction ships to increase the baseline capabilities of the newest ships in the class, and to provide commonality between new construction ships and modernized in-service ships.
The goal of the DDG modernization effort is to increase warfighting capabilities and drive commonality, which enable these ships to remain relevant, to their service life, against current and future threats.
After 30 years in Norfolk, Va., Arleigh Burke shifted homeports to Rota, Spain, on March 26, 2021, to be forward-deployed in U.S. Sixth Fleet. The ship arrived at Naval Station Rota on April 11, 2021, and is on its third patrol.
About the USS Arleigh Burke
Measuring 505 feet (154 meters) in length with a beam of 59 feet (18 meters) and a draft of 31 feet (9.4 meters), the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer has a displacement of approximately 6,800 long tons (6,900 metric tons) when light, and 8,900 long tons (9,000 metric tons) when fully loaded.
The destroyer's propulsion system is powered by four General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, generating 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000 kW). With two shafts, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and has a range of 4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots (8,100 km at 37 km/h).
