The DDG 51 class is a multi-mission guided destroyer missile designed to operate independently, or as units of Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG), and Missile Defense Action Groups in multi-threat environments that include air, surface, and subsurface threats. These ships will respond to Low Intensity Conflict/Coastal and Littoral Offshore Warfare (LIC/CALOW) scenarios as well as open ocean conflict providing or augmenting power projection, forward presence requirements, and escort operations at sea.

DDG 51 class destroyers are the most advanced state-of-the-art warships built in the world. These destroyers are equipped with the Navy’s AEGIS Combat System, ACS, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system. When integrated with the ACS, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) will permit groups of ships and aircraft to link their radars to provide a composite picture of the battle space, effectively increasing the theater space. The capability is designed to provide the Navy with its 21st Century fighting edge.

The DDG 51 features the AEGIS Weapon System, which has quick reaction time, high firepower, and improved ECM capability in AAW. The ships’ ASW System provides superior long range multi-target detection and engagement capability with two embarked Lamps MK III helicopters (Flight IIA, DDG 79 and follow). The DDG 91 and follow ships employ the littoral variant of the SPY-1D(V). Additionally, DDG 91-96 employ the Remote Mine Hunting System. Their Tomahawk and MK45 5”/62 gun weapon systems provide excellent strike and surface warfare capability. CEC is being installed on DDG 51 class ships to promote Network Centric Warfare capability. The AWS is the heart of the integrated combat system that provides area coverage and command/control focus in all dimensions of Naval Warfighting and Joint Military Operations: AAW, ASW, SUW, C4I, and STW.

Structural features include an all steel hull and deckhouse with vital spaces protected and located deep within the hull. The ship employs a gas turbine propulsion system with CRP, Controllable Reversible Propeller, similar to the CG 47 class.

The DDG 51 class ships provide outstanding combat capability and survivability characteristics while considering procurement and lifetime support costs. They feature extraordinary sea keeping and low observability characteristics.