All 68Burkes so far built (2020) are still in service as of this writing and have become the major surface ship deployed by the US Navy. The Burkes - being "multiple missions capable" - can conduct sustained combat operations at sea providing primary protection for aircraft carrier battle groups and escorting amphibious forces and their auxiliary vessels during operations. The original design was to defend against multiple Russian threats countered by the Aegis Combat System, the world's premier weapons system. The focal point is the AN/SPY-1D phased array radar being the most powerful search radar on US warships. The radar has 360-degree range and is able to detect and track hundreds of missiles and aircraft. This sea level-to-stratosphere ability to engage targets gives the crew total situational awareness. Additional radar is the SQQ-89 tactical sonar suite is composed of a hull-mounted sonar (SQS-53C) and Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTAS), and is fully integrated with the ship's Light Airborne Multi-Purpose Systems (LAMPS MK 111) helicopter.
The offensive and defensive capabilities of Aegis destroyers are designed with the crew in mind to provide for maximum survivability. Large areas of topside armor is placed around vital combat systems, crew areas and machinery spaces, and the large hull radically improves her sea-keeping ability. Hull plating thickness is over 75% the hull length amidships. Propellers have five blades to reduce cavitation. The stern wedge is extended out past the transom and improves fuel efficiency at cruising speeds. The Navy has factored in accommodations for the 18 member air group, and has separate female berthing for four officers, six CPOs, and 18 enlisted sailors.
Two Zodiac Marine 24-ft Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RIB) can be used for rescue or high-speed interception of other craft. Other changes include the addition of five blast-hardened bulkheads to lessen vulnerability, adding a solid waste management system, and the ability for fresh water production on board exceeding 24,000 gallons per day. The torpedo reload magazine also accommodates Penguin anti-ship and Hellfire anti-armor air-to-surface missiles, Stinger infrared surface-to-air missiles, LAU 68 2.75-in rockets, and 25-mm cannon and 40-mm grenade ammunition. She is able to carry 40 torpedoes for shipboard or helicopter use (weapons loads are mission-specific). Harpoon missiles were scratched due to the cost and this reduction does degrade the capacity for the vessel to defend itself against enemy anti-ship missiles. The ship's Recovery, Assist, Securing, and Traversing (RAST) system is utilized to move the helicopter into and out of the port and starboard hangars. This track-guided system enables the ships to move SH-60-series helicopters during rough seas.
In April 2006, the USS Roosevelt and the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien closed to intercept a hijacked South Korean trawler off the coast of Somalia. Roosevelt and the De Zeven Provincien were ordered to disengage boarding the trawler when the pirates brought the crew on deck in view of the Roosevelt and pointed firearms at the crew. The hijacked trawler escaped into Somali territorial waters.
In February 2007, the Roosevelt was awarded the 2006 Battle Efficiency "E" award. Roosevelt's annual average cost of operation is $20,000,000 US.
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