According to information published by the US DoD on June 28, 2023, the U.S. Navy officially took delivery of the future guided-missile destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), marking it as the Navy’s first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
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Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas. (Picture source: HII)
The centerpiece of the Flight III Destroyer is the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR). This cutting-edge three-dimensional radar system offers comprehensive information regarding range, altitude, and azimuth.
Capable of supporting air and missile defense missions concurrently, the AMDR integrates the S-band radar for integrated air and missile defense, the X-band radar for horizon and surface search capabilities, and the Radar Suite Controller to manage radar resources.
Moreover, the ship harnesses the power of the Aegis Combat System, an advanced naval weapons system. Leveraging the potential of radars and computers, it forms an impressive command and decision capability, guiding weapons to annihilate enemy targets effectively.
Further, the Flight III Destroyer is armed with an upgraded five-inch diameter gun for surface warfare and land attack. It also houses the Vertical Launch System, capable of launching a variety of missiles, including Tomahawk and Standard Missiles 2, 3, and 6, as well as ESSM Blocks 1 and 2.
Compared to the previous DDG 51 version (Flight IIA), the Flight III includes modifications such as an upgraded fire extinguishing system, new ship service turbine generators, additional transformers, and Power Conversion Modules. Structural changes have also been made to increase reserve buoyancy, lower the ship’s center of gravity, and enhance girder strength.
Apart from the self-defense features, the ship provides improved ballistic protection for magazines and vital spaces. It also contains various installed and portable damage control, firefighting, and dewatering systems intended to enhance survivability and recovery from battle damage.
