U.S. Navy focuses on new destroyers and upgrades in radar, sensors, and laser weapons to counter China
WASHINGTON – the U.S. Navy is adding many new destroyers to the fleet and on sensor and weapons upgrades, in clearly embracing the reality that China has a naval fleet that is larger than America’s fleet. Kris Osborn at The National Interest reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
13 Oct. 2021 -- The effort involves upgrades to sensors and weapons aboard the existing fleet of DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyers and building many new warships, including next-generation DDG-51 Flight III destroyers.
The Navy operates more than 80 destroyers and is adding more than 10 new Flight III DDG-51s with technology upgrades to radar and weapons. The military service is deeply invested in sustaining its existing fleet, too, which contains ships that are decades old.
Within the next 15 years, Navy leaders plan to add at least 30 new DDG-51 destroyers including 22 DDG-51 Flight III warships and eight state-of-the-art DDG-51 Flight IIA destroyers. Right now, the Navy has as many as 20 new destroyers under construction.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
