The DDG 51 class destroyers have been designed to support carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups. They perform primarily Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) with secondary land attack, Anti-Submarine (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) capabilities. The Mk 41 vertical launch system has expanded the role of the destroyer in strike warfare, as well as their overall performance.
The DDG 51 class destroyers, as well as their European counterparts such as Horizon, F100, F124, Type 45 and De Zeven Provincien, are the most powerful surface combatants ever put to sea. The DDG 51 class destroyers incorporate all-steel construction and utilize gas turbine propulsion. They feature the AEGIS (Mk 7) weapon system with the AN/SPY-1D radar system (SPY-1D(V) in late production models), the AN/SQQ-89 undersea warfare system, the bow-mounted AN/SQS-53C sonar, and Mk 41 vertical launch systems for up to 96 Standard missiles and other missile types.
For enhanced survivability the DDG 51 class destroyers feature extensive armor located around vital combat systems and machinery spaces. Infrared, Acoustic, and Radar Cross Sections signatures have been reduced and the ship has been hardened against Electro-Magnetic Pulse and over-pressure damage. Protection against Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) agents has also been provided.
The first DDG 51 class destroyer was deployed by the US Navy in 1991. They replaced Charles F. Adams and Farragut-class destroyers and will replace partially current Spruance and Perry-class ships by 2010. They have been deployed during military operations over the former Yugoslavia, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iraq assuming the land-attack role using Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The US Navy plans to procure up to 63 DDG-51 class destroyers through 2010. However, these plans could change depending on DD(X) destroyers availability. The DDG 51 will become the backbone of the American Surface combatants fleet well into the 21st century.
The DDG 51 Flight IIA ships incorporate two hangars for two SH-60B helicopters as well as aircraft facilities. The latest Burke-class ships also feature a zonal electrical system, an advanced water purification system, and other shipboard improvements.
Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics company, was awarded a $562 million contract for the construction of the final Burke-class destroyer, known as DDG 112, on January 21, 2005. DDG 112, the 34th ship of this class built by Bath Iron Works, is expected to be delivered to the US Navy by December 2010. The ship is part of fiscal year 2002-2005 multi-year procurement contract which was originally awarded in September 2002. DDG 112 completes a series of 62 ships built in three variants.
USS Sampson (DDG 102) was christened Saturday, September 16, 2006 during a ceremony at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine.
United States of America / 34 
