USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)

History of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)

The modern United States Navy (USN) currently (2017) operates approximately 63 destroyer warships, almost all of the Arleigh Burke class, 76 of which were originally planned at the end of the Cold War (1947-1991). 66 have been completed to date, of which 62 are active.

These numbers indicate that the Arleigh Burke-class is one of the most important surface combatants available to the U.S. Navy.

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) was a member of the class, she was ordered on 2/22/1990 and seen her keel laid on 2/9/93 at Bath Iron Works, Maine . Launched on January 29, 1994, the warship was commissioned on October 14, 1995 after U.S. Navy Officer William Charles Fitzgerald (1938-1967), who served in the Vietnam War ( 1955-1975).

The ship's homeport is in Yokosuka, Japan (though it was originally based at Naval Station San Diego, California), and it operates under the slogan "Protect Your People." It was called "Fighting Fritz" by her staff.

Externally, the warship is 505 feet in length, 66 feet in beams, and has a draft of 31 feet. The standard load is 6,900 tons, and the full load is 9,000 tons. Her construction is consistent with modern warships from the 1990s, with some stealth built into her design.

The bridge sits on top of the former superstructure, which integrates the mast-like main mast and the first set of chimneys. The rear build contains the rear smoke funnel, as well as various communication/sensory tweaks and weapons. The main conventional artillery system is mounted in a movable turret above the forecastle. The stern is reserved for a helipad attached to the full-service hangar facility.

This allows the ship to carry up to two medium Navy helicopters (usually a Sikorsky MH-60R) simultaneously, which can be used for sea resupply, search and rescue (SAR) and submarine/ship hunting as needed.

Internally, the ship is staffed with 281 personnel, consisting of commissioned officers, chief non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Power comes from a conventional array of 4 x General Electric LM2500-30 marine gas turbines producing 100,000 hp on 2 x axles.

Performance includes speeds in excess of 30 knots (under ideal conditions) and a range of up to 4,400 nautical miles.

Airborne systems include AN/SPY-1D 3D radar system, AN/SPS-67(V)2 surface search radar, AN/SPS-73(V)12 surface search radar and AN/SPG-62 fire control radar , AN/SQS-53C sonar array, AN/SQR-19 tactical towed array sonar and AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III vehicle system. Electronic warfare (EW) is managed by the AN/SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Warfare System (EWS) and the AN/SLQ025 "Nixie" torpedo countermeasure unit. The AN/SLQ-39 provides chaff fire against incoming missiles. The Mk 36 MOD 12 acts as a decoy launcher.

This gives the ship strong situational awareness and self-protection capabilities.

Fitzgerald was classified as a "missile destroyer", indicating her ocean-going role and primary armament. The ship is equipped with two rows of rocket launchers, one with 29 cells and the other with 61 cells, installed in the front and rear of the central superstructure. These units support a variety of missile types, including the RIM-156 SM-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM), the BGM-109 Tomahawk surface-attack cruise missile, and the RUM-139 VL-ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) missile.

In addition, there are two Mk 141 launchers for the Harpoon anti-ship missile (ASM). In addition to this advanced missile weapon, Fitzgerald is also equipped with more conventional weapons, including 1 x Mark 45 caliber 5"/54 and turret deck gun, 2 x 25mm chain guns, 2 x 20mm Phalanx close-range weapons System (CIWS), 2 x Mk 32 triple torpedo launchers and 4 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

Fitzgerald's career began in 1995, but her first real position came in 2004, when she was deployed as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet in a deterrent force in the Asia-Pacific region near Japan . She participated in the 2011 Japanese Armed Forces Earthquake and Disaster Relief and attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty.

In addition, the warship conducted various exercises and patrols as needed, and provided support to the U.S. aircraft carrier group. Today, her position in the Asia-Pacific theater makes her a key figure in preventing North Korea and China from taking war.

On June 17, 2017, the USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine transport vessel. The incident occurred 64 miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, the home port of the Fitzgerald, and seven Fitzgerald crew members were killed in the incident.

Fitzgerald suffered extensive damage on her starboard side that would take millions of dollars and months to repair. Along with the seven sailors who were later found in the flooded compartment (they were initially listed as "missing"), the American crew also received reports of several injuries, including the ship's commander, who was transported for medical treatment . The warship was returned to port by Allied ships, including the Japanese Coast Guard.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing (2017).

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