| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | 15 January 1975 |
| Laid down: | 24 April 1978 |
| Launched: | 16 June 1979 |
| Commissioned: | 12 July 1980 |
| Decommissioned: | 1 October 2004 |
| Fate: | Out of service. Currently awaiting disposal. |
| Homeport: | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii |
| Motto: | Pace et Bello Paratus, "In Peace and War Prepared" |
| Struck: | n/a |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 9,040 tons (8200 t) |
| Length: | 563 ft (172 m) |
| Beam: | 55 ft (17 m) |
| Draught: | 32 ft (10 m) |
| Propulsion: | 4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines |
| Speed: | 30+ kts (55+ km/h) |
| Complement: | 24 officers and 272 enlisted |
| Armament: | 8 Harpoon (from 2 quad launchers), Tomahawk, VLS or ABL; Vertical Launch ASROCASROC (for "Anti-Submarine Rocket") is an antisubmarine missile system, developed by the United States Navy, and installed on over 200 surface ships, generally cruisers and destroyers. A surface ship first detects an enemy submarine by using sonar, then f (VLA) missiles; six MK-46 torpedo es (from 2 triple tube mounts); two 5"/54 caliber Mk-45 (lightweight gun); two 20mm Phalanx CIWSPhalanx CIWS A Close-in weapon system (CIWS is a naval shipboard weapon system for detecting and destroying incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft at short range (the threat(s) having penetrated the ship's available outer defences). Typically, the |
USS Fletcher (DD-992), named after Admiral Frank Jack FletcherFrank Jack Fletcher ( 29 April 1885 25 April 1973) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. He was the nephew of Adm. Early Life and Naval Career He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on April 29, 1885. Appointed to the U and the second ship in the United States NavyThe United States Navy USN is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. Navy consists of slightly fewer than 300 ships and over 4,000 operational aircraft. It has over a half million men and women on active or ready re with that name, is the thirtieth Spruance-classThe Spruance class destroyer developed as replacements for the large number of World War II built Allen M. Sumner and Gearing class destroyers, was the primary destroyer built for the US Navy during the 1970s. The class was originally designed for antisub destroyerThis article treats on the type of ship. For other things called destroyer , see Destroyer (disambiguation). USS Lassen (DDG-82), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship inte.
Fletcher is homeported in Pear Harbor, Hawaii. Fletcher is assigned to Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-ONE.
Designed and built by Ingalls ShipyardsIngalls Shipbuilding was a shipyard located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, originally established in 1938, and is now part of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. It was a leading producer of ships for the US Navy, and at 10,900 employees, the largest private empl of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Fletcher is a member of the first major class of surface ships in the United States Navy to be powered by gas turbine engines. Four General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines, marine versions of those used in DC-10 aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin controllable reversible pitch propellers provide Fletcher with a degree of maneuverability unique among warships of her size.
Commissioned in July 1980, she was immediately sent to join the Pacific Fleet, with which she has served up to the present. Starting in 1982, Fletcher has made regular deployments to the western and southern Pacific, with some of those extending into the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf areas. During the 1990s, she was modernized with the vertical launch system, giving her a much broader range of capabilities.
A highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, Fletcher is capable of operating of operating independently or in company with Amphibious or Carrier Task Forces. Fletcher's main mission is to operate offensively in a Strike Warfare or Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role. The Tomahawk Weapons Systems provides Fletcher with long range cruise missile capability for use in tactical strike operations. Fletcher's primary passive ASW sensor is the AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTAS). Fletcher's active sonar together with the MK 116 Underwater Fire Control System combine as one of the most advanced underwater detection and fire control systems ever developed. The Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) provides the ship with faster and more accurate processing of target information. Integration of the ship's digital gun fire control system in the NTDS provides quick reaction in the mission areas of shore bombardment, Anti-Surface, and Anti-Aircraft Warfare.
The ship's weapons include a sixty-one cell MK 41 Launching System for firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) and Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROCs), two MK 45 light weight 5-inch guns, two triple barrel MK 32 torpedo tubes, and facilities for operating LAMPS helicopters. The ship is also armed with the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, a short range, surface-to-air defensive weapon, and the HARPOON Weapon System, a medium range, surface-to-surface, anti-ship cruise missile. For defense against anti-ship missile, Fletcher employs two MK 15 (PHALANX) 20 mm Close-In Weapons System, SRBOC chaff, and topside armor in addition to the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System. The AN/SLQ-32 countermeasures set provides Fletcher with additional defense against anti-ship missiles through the use of active electronic countermeasures.
Crew comfort and habitability are an integral part of Fletcher's design. Berthing compartments are spacious and the ship is equipped with amenities not usually found aboard other destroyers, including a crew's gymnasium. Although Fletcher is as large as a World War II cruiser, a high degree of automation permits a crew of 24 officers and 296 enlisted to operate the ship.
See USS Fletcher for other ships of this name.