AMA - Guided Missile Destroyer Edition

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 07/13/2016 at 21:49 • Filed to: None

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I’ve spent the week inspecting the DDG-115 USS Rafael Peralta, the US Navy’s latest and greatest (yes, greater than the DDG-1000) guided missile destroyer. So ask me anything, and if it’s not classified, I’ll answer.

Your boy, BJR > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 21:51

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What happens if you tell me the classified stuff?

CB > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 21:53

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How many shitters does it have?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Your boy, BJR 07/13/2016 at 21:53

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concrete sneakers, the trunk of a Cadillac, and the Pulaski skyway

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 21:53

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did you get lost navigating your way around it?

can it baby?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Your boy, BJR 07/13/2016 at 21:54

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Well it depends. If I send it to you from my private e-mail server, probably nothing. Because apparently that’s how we do things in the US now. But if were to tell you by other means, such as in person, on paper, or on here I’d probably lose my job and go to jail.

And what happens to you wouldn’t be pretty either, but if you’re lucky it will be swift and painless.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CB 07/13/2016 at 21:56

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I actually have no idea, I’d have to pull up my GA’s and go count. My guess is around 40 or so. Also, that is apparently one of the last things they bring online on the ship, because if the workers or inspectors have to go, we have to go down and use a port-a-john on the pier.

wafflesnfalafel > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 21:58

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yes, but does it have a laser? :)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 07/13/2016 at 22:01

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This is my 4th week long DDG inspection and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt comfortable and confident navigating my way around the ship. But I was a stupid bubblehead, submarines only have 3 compartments so it’s not that hard to find your way around. DDGs have like 200.

I’m not sure how well it would baby. On one hand it has lots of space, bathrooms, several full galleys for preparing food, multiple TVs, etc. On theother hand, there are a lot of things that would be bad for children such as sharp objects, loud noises, extremely steep “ladders” (in the Navy stairs are known as ladders. Ladders are also known as ladders), high powered directed energy devices (radar), weapons, rotating machinery, etc. Also, no child safety seat anchors.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > wafflesnfalafel 07/13/2016 at 22:02

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I’m assuming you mean weaponized lasers. And not yet, but possibly in the future.

whoarder is tellurium > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 22:05

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Does it still have that new ship smell?

Have they test fired the Phalanx CIWS?

Which ship builder is better? Bath Iron Works or Ingalls?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > whoarder is tellurium 07/13/2016 at 22:08

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It has lots of interesting ship smells. Mostly paint, rust, and hot metal. Some spaces also smell like linoleum due to the flooring. But the oddest thing was one section near the port hangar smells like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Have not test fired Phalanx CIWS yet. The ship hasn’t left the pier yet, but should start sea trials soon-ish.

BIW.

XJDano > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 22:16

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At full throttle/ steam/ propulsion, can you ski behind it, or tube?

I bet if you fell or let go of the rope it'd take a good while to circle around to get you.

Your boy, BJR > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 07/13/2016 at 22:18

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Lol you’d never waste a good caddy on body disposal. A stolen neon or late model Corolla or Civic or something, sure, but never a caddy (unless catera or Cimmaron).

And concrete sneakers are for underwater disposal.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 22:19

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how does it compare to a brown volvo wagon?

Whats the resale value?

Does it have a better turning radius than a 60's luxo-barge?

Does it have a poop deck?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > XJDano 07/13/2016 at 22:29

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Burke’s are powered by 4x GE LM2500 gas turbines putting out 26,500hp each (106,000hp total) and driving 2x 5 blade screws. They can make over 30 knots. A quick googling suggests you can water ski as slow as 12 knots. So yes, you can water ski behind it easily. Tubing would also be an option.

They can also turn a lot better than you might think...

Snuze: Needs another Swede > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/13/2016 at 22:45

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It is grey, so if brown is your thing you need to GTFAC. But if you can live with grey, it’s got storage space in spades, easily trumping the wagon’s cargo carrying capacity. This thing doesn’t just seat 322 of your closest friends, it can sleep them as well, and carry enough food to feed them for 30+ days. It’s probably going to lose points in terms of fuel economy and reliability, however, as the gas turbines are quite thirsty and many ship systems require constant maintenance. However it has safety in spades... Moose test? A Burke features advanced SPY-1D 3D radar for long range multi-moose detection and tracking as well as a suite of electronic detection and countermeasure systems. And should an unfortunate moose strike happen, these ships feature dual layer armor with kevlar spall liners over all vital spaces. And if the moose get really aggressive it has a 5"/62 caliber gun capable of firing a wide array of ammunition as well as 96 Mk 41 Vertical Launch Cells capable of launching a variety of anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-satellite, and land attack missiles. Rounding out the armament are 2x Bushmaster 25mm cannons, a 20mm Phalanx CIWS system, and 2x Mk 32 torpedo launchers. It’s also capable of carrying 2 MH-60 LAMPS III Seahawk helicopters.

At a sticker price of $1.8 Billion, you’re getting a bargain for all this capability. Unfortunately due to the rarity and desirability none have hit the second hand market yet. But I imagine the Russians and Chinese would pay top dollar for a slightly used example.

Pictured: turning capabilities. I’ll let you be the judge.

It does not have a designated poop deck. However there are many decks which it would be feasible to poop off of. My suggestion is the 010 Level (that little flat at the top of the mast with the dome on it).

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/14/2016 at 00:42

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Who would win in a fight: The Destroyer or the ‘84 Bears ?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 07/14/2016 at 01:05

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Well, as much as I like the DDG, I’m gonna have to go with Ditka on this one, it’d be da Bears!

DipodomysDeserti > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/14/2016 at 01:42

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I just found a bunch of microfiche film that my great grandfather had of the Destroyer he served on after WWI. The USS Hovey. He was an immigrant so he worked in the boiler room.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/14/2016 at 08:45

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I’m late to the party, but why do the decks look all rusty in the picture? And did the sailor who left the front starboard hatch open while underway get keelhauled for it?

It always blows my mind how modern warships look like they have so few weapons compared to a WWII era warship.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > DipodomysDeserti 07/14/2016 at 11:46

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Wow, that’s awesome! I have a lot of respect for him, those old destroyers were something else. Those guys used to be known as “Tin Can Sailors,” if that gives you any idea. It wasn’t until recently that destroyers moved up to become a fleet mainstay and rugged, versatile platform. They used to basically exist as cannon fodder to protect the carriers and battleships. So kudos to your grandfather, especially for enduring the hellish conditions in the boiler room. If there’s any way you vould scan those, I’d love to see the pics.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 07/14/2016 at 12:06

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That’s the DDG-90, USS Chafee in the picture. I don’t have a lot of details on the picture, but based on the state of the ship, I would guess shes in an availability period, and it looks like they stripped all the non-skid off the decks and have not replaced it yet.

That hatch goes to a non-enclosed space, so it’s not a huge deal to have it open. There may be a reason for it, though I don’t know what that would be. But if it wasn’t supposed to be and you left it open, you’d get your ass chewed.