The armament suite is led by the single Marck 45 5" /54 caliber (127/54mm) turreted deck gun with 2 x 25mm chain guns, 2 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs), and up to 4 x 0.50 caliber Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs). The heart of the offensive suite, however, is the collection of missiles geared toward air and surface threats. This encompasses 1 x Mk 41 61-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) and 1 x 29-cell VLS, each supporting the RIM-156 SM-2 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM), BGM-109 "Tomahawk" land-attack cruise missile, and/or the RUM-139 VL-ASROC (Vertically-Launched, Anti-Submarine ROCket) solution. Also included are 2 x Mk 141 "Harpoon" anti-ship missile launchers amidships. Beyond this are 2 x Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes to neutralize on-surface and undersea threats at range.
The warship's design lines are consistent with the Arleigh Burke-class featuring the single turreted deck gun over the forecastle, the bridge and main mast works integrated to the forward superstructure, low-profile (enclosed) smoke funnels amidships, and a single-helicopter landing area over the stern. The helipad supports medium-lift types operated by the USN and can cover roles from at-sea resupply and Search and Rescue to Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Over-the-Horizon (OtH) sorties.
Since launched in 1994, the warship has undergone modernization on two occasions - once in 2011 and once in 2013. The 2011 modernization was handled by Bae Systems San Diego and encompassed upgrades and improvements including broader bridge integration and enhanced damage control. The modernization of 2013 upgraded combat responsiveness and capability with the addition of the AEGIS Baseline 9C system. Sonar was also upgraded as was ballistic defense.
Over the course of her ocean-going career, Benfold has been in active deployment since 1997, finding herself on station throughout the Persian Gulf and Pacific. More recently, she had been used as part of America's "show-of-force" against China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in support of allies Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
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