According to information published by the US DoD on May 15, 2023, the Navy has commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) in Key West, Florida.
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Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. (Picture source: US DoD)
The ship will be the 72nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be commissioned, with 17 additional ships currently under contract for the DDG 51 program. The ship is configured as a Flight IIA destroyer, which enables power projection and delivers quick reaction time, high firepower, and increased electronic countermeasures capability for anti-air warfare.
About the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee
With a full-load displacement of 9,217 tons, the ship measures 513 feet (156 meters) in length and has a beam of 66 feet (20 meters). The USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, which generate a combined output of 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000 kW). This propulsion system allows the ship to reach top speeds of 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph).
The ship is manned by a complement of 380 officers and enlisted personnel. Its armament is extensive and varied, designed to engage multiple types of threats.
For direct fire, she is equipped with a 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 (lightweight gun), a 20 mm Phalanx CIWS for close-in defense, two 25 mm Mk 38 Machine Gun Systems, and four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns.
The destroyer also hosts a comprehensive missile suite, featuring a 32-cell and a 64-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for a total of 96 cells. This system accommodates an array of missiles, including the RIM-66M Surface-to-Air Missile, RIM-156 Surface-to-Air Missile, RIM-174A Standard ERAM, RIM-161 Anti-Ballistic Missile, RIM-162 ESSM (quad-packed), and the BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile. It is also equipped with the RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC system.
The ship's torpedo armament comprises two Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes, which can be loaded with Mark 46, Mark 50, or Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedoes.
For aerial operations, the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee carries two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, supported by a double hangar and helipad.
