Charles F. Adams class destroyer
Encyclopedia

The Charles F. Adams class is a ship class
Ship class
A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....

 of 29 guided missile destroyer
Guided missile destroyer
A guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...

s built between 1958 and 1967. Twenty three ships were built for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

, 3 for the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...

, and 3 for the West German Bundesmarine. The ships were based on the existing Forrest Sherman class
Forrest Sherman class destroyer
The 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers were the first US post-war destroyers . and later ships were equipped with B&W Bailey Meter Company's new automatic boiler combustion control system, and a modified hurricane bow/anchor configuration...

, but were the first destroyers designed to serve as missile destroyers. They added 19 feet (5.8 m) of length to the center of the Forrest Sherman design to accommodate the ASROC
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...

 launcher and changed the boilers from 600 psi (4,136,854.4 Pa) to 1275 psi (8,790,815.5 Pa). Both of these changes ultimately caused significant maintenance problems for all ships in the class. The Charles F. Adams-class destroyers were the last steam-powered
Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....

 destroyers built for the U.S. Navy; beginning with the follow-on Spruance-class destroyers
Spruance class destroyer
The Spruance-class destroyer was developed by the United States to replace a large number of World War II-built Allen M. Sumner- and Gearing-class destroyers, and was the primary destroyer built for the U.S. Navy during the 1970s....

, all succeeding destroyer classes have been powered by gas turbine
Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....

s. The destroyers of this class served in the Cuban blockade
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...

 of 1962 and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

.

Although designed with cutting edge technology for the 1950s, by the mid 1970s it was clear to the Navy that the Charles F. Adams class was ill-prepared to deal with modern air and missile threats. To reduce this vulnerability, the Navy initiated the New Threat Upgrade
New Threat Upgrade
-The Program:New Threat Upgrade was a program to improve the anti-aircraft capability of Terrier and Tartar ships. It allowed the full use of newer Standard missiles and improved the interoperability of the radar and computer systems aboard the ships...

 (NTU) program, which consisted of a number of sensor, weapons and communications upgrades, intended to extend the service life of the ships. Under NTU the Adams class would receive improved electronic warfare capability through the installation of the AN/SLQ-32(V)2 EW Suite. The upgraded combat system would include the MK86 Gun Fire Control System with AN/SPQ-9
AN/SPQ-9
AN/SPQ-9A, , is a United States Navy multi-purpose surface search & fire control radar used with the Mk-86 gun fire-control system . It is a two dimensional radar, meaning it provides only range and bearing but not elevation...

 radar, Hughes AN/SPS-52C 3D radar, AN/SPG-51
AN/SPG-51
The AN/SPG-51 is a tracking / illumination radar for RIM-66 Standard missiles. It is used for target tracking and Surface-to-air missile guidance on s, s, and s.The French Cassard class frigates also utilise this system.Older variants were used on s....

C (Digital) Fire Control Radars, and Naval Tactical Data System
Naval Tactical Data System
Naval Tactical Data System, commonly NTDS, refers to a computerized information processing system developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s and first deployed in the early 1960s for use in combat ships.- Reason for development :...

 (NTDS). The ships would also have the ability to launch RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, to be housed in the MK-11 Tartar missile launcher.

During the 1980s, the Reagan Administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....

 chose to accelerate production of the Ticonderoga-class
Ticonderoga class cruiser
The Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers is a class of warships in the United States Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. The class uses phased-array radar and was originally planned as a class of destroyers...

 guided missile cruisers and build the Arleigh Burke
Arleigh Burke class destroyer
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of...

-class guided missile destroyers as a replacement for the Adams class. The result of this was that only three ships, , , and received the full upgrade. Other ships, of the class, such as Charles F. Adams, received only partial upgrades which included the AN/SLQ-32 and Harpoon Missile upgrades intended to extend their service lives until the Burke class could reach operational capability.

The United States Navy decommissioned its last Charles F. Adams destroyer, the Goldsborough, on April 29, 1993. The Australian and German navies had also decommissioned their last ships of this class by 2003. Four ships of this class were transferred to the Hellenic Navy
Hellenic Navy
The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence...

 in 1992, but have since been decommissioned.

The has been placed on inactive hold status and there are attempts by private groups to have it preserved as a museum ship. Mölders (D186) was made into a museum ship, but all of the other destroyers in the class have been sunk as targets, sunk for dive wrecks or sold for scrap.

Ships in class

Ship Name Hull No. Commission–
Decommission
Fate Notes
Charles F. Adams
USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2)
USS Charles F. Adams , named for Charles Francis Adams, III , was the lead ship of the her class of guided missile destroyers of the United States Navy....

DDG-2 1960–1990 Museum hold
John King
USS John King (DDG-3)
USS John King was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy named for Medal of Honor recipient John King....

DDG-3 1961–1990 Scrapped
Lawrence
USS Lawrence (DDG-4)
USS Lawrence , the fifth ship named for Captain James Lawrence USN , was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-4 1962–1990 Scrapped
Claude V. Ricketts
USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5)
USS Claude V. Ricketts , previously Biddle and DD-955, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy....

DDG-5 1962–1989 Scrapped
Barney
USS Barney (DDG-6)
USS Barney was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship named for Commodore Joshua Barney USN .Her original designation was DD-956...

DDG-6 1962–1990 Scrapped
Henry B. Wilson
USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7)
USS Henry B. Wilson , named for Admiral Henry Braid Wilson, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer laid down by Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan on 28 February 1958, launched on 22 April 1959 sponsored by Mrs. Patrick J. Hurley, daughter of Admiral Wilson, and...

DDG-7 1960–1989 Sinkex
Lynde McCormick
USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8)
USS Lynde McCormick was a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer in the United States Navy.Lynde McCormick was laid down 4 April 1958 by Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, Michigan; launched 28 July 1959; sponsored by Mrs. Lillian McCormick, wife of Admiral McCormick; and commissioned at Boston 3...

DDG-8 1961–1991 Sinkex http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG8.htm
Towers
USS Towers (DDG-9)
USS Towers was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy notable for action in the Vietnam War. The ship was named in honor of Admiral John Henry Towers....

DDG-9 1961–1990 Sinkex http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG9.htm
Sampson
USS Sampson (DDG-10)
USS Sampson , named for Admiral William T. Sampson USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-10 1961–1991 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG10.htm
Sellers
USS Sellers (DDG-11)
USS Sellers , named for Admiral David F. Sellers USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-11 1961–1989 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG11.htm
Robison
USS Robison (DDG-12)
USS Robison , named for Rear Admiral Samuel Shelburne Robison, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in the service of the United States Navy....

DDG-12 1961–1991 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG12.htm
Hoel
USS Hoel (DDG-13)
USS Hoel , named for Lieutenant Commander William R. Hoel USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile armed destroyer....

DDG-13 1962–1990 Converted to power barge, then scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG13.htm
Buchanan
USS Buchanan (DDG-14)
USS Buchanan , named for Admiral Franklin Buchanan, was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-14 1962–1991 Sinkex http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG14.htm
Berkeley
USS Berkeley (DDG-15)
USS Berkeley was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Major General Randolph C. Berkeley, USMC , a Medal of Honor recipient for actions during the U.S...

DDG-15 1962–1992 Sold to Greece as Themistocles (D-221), scrapped later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG15.htm
Joseph Strauss
USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16)
The USS Joseph Strauss , named for Admiral Joseph Strauss USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer of the United States Navy....

DDG-16 1963–1990 Sold to Greece as Formion (D-220), scrapped later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG16.htm
Conyngham
USS Conyngham (DDG-17)
USS Conyngham , the third ship named for Captain Gustavus Conyngham USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-17 1963–1990 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG17.htm
Semmes
USS Semmes (DDG-18)
USS Semmes , was the second Navy ship named for Commander , Rear Admiral , Brigadier General Raphael Semmes . USS Semmes was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy.Semmes was laid down by Avondale Marine Ways, Inc...

DDG-18 1962–1991 Sold to Greece as Kimon (D-218), scrapped later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG18.htm
Tattnall
USS Tattnall (DDG-19)
USS Tattnall was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile-armed destroyer of the United States Navy. She was named for Commodore Josiah Tattnall, Jr...

DDG-19 1963–1991 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG19.htm
Goldsborough
USS Goldsborough (DDG-20)
USS Goldsborough , named for Rear Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough USN , was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer....

DDG-20 1963–1993 Sold to Australia as a parts hulk, scrapped later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG20.htm
Cochrane
USS Cochrane (DDG-21)
USS Cochrane , named for Vice Admiral Edward L. Cochrane, USN, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer.The Cochrane was laid down by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company at Seattle, Washington on 31 July 1961, launched on 18 July 1962 and commissioned on 21 March 1964.In...

DDG-21 1964–1990 Scrapped http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG21.htm
Benjamin Stoddert
USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
USS Benjamin Stoddert , named for Benjamin Stoddert , Secretary of the Navy from 1798 to 1801, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy....

DDG-22 1964–1991 Sank while under tow enroute for scrapping http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG22.htm
Richard E. Byrd
USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23)
USS Richard E. Byrd , a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, was named after noted polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd....

DDG-23 1964–1990 Sold to Greece for parts, sunk as target later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG23.htm
Waddell
USS Waddell (DDG-24)
USS Waddell was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Captain James Iredell Waddell CSN ....

DDG-24 1964–1992 Sold to Greece as Nearchos (D-219), sunk as target later http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DDG24.htm


Hellenic Navy
Hellenic Navy
The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence...

  • HS Kimon (D-218) (formerly USS Semmes)
  • HS Nearchos (D-219) (formerly USS Waddell)
  • HS Formion (D-220) (formerly USS Joseph Strauss)
  • HS Themistocles (D-221) (formerly USS Berkeley)

Lütjens class


The Lütjens class
Lütjens class destroyer
The Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyers.Basically the ships were Charles F...

 destroyer was a modification of the Charles F. Adams class for the Bundesmarine (the Navy of West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

). It differed from the Adams class in the layout of the crew accommodations, the location of the bow sonar, a second large aerial mast and different funnels.
  • FGS Lütjens (D185)
    FGS Lütjens (D185)
    Lütjens was a guided missile destroyer of the Bundesmarine and later the Deutsche Marine . She was the lead ship of the Lütjens class, a modification of the Charles F. Adams class...

  • FGS Mölders (D186)
    FGS Mölders (D186)
    D186 Mölders was a guided missile destroyer of the Bundesmarine and later the Deutsche Marine . It was the second ship of the Lütjens class, a modification of the Charles F. Adams class....

  • FGS Rommel (D187)
    FGS Rommel (D187)
    D187 Rommel was a guided missile destroyer of the Bundesmarine and later the Deutsche Marine . It was the third and last ship of the Lütjens class, a modification of the Charles F. Adams class....


Perth class

The Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...

 had three Charles F. Adams class units constructed to their own specifications (these ships were designated the Perth class
Perth class destroyer
The Perth class destroyers were three modified Charles F. Adams class guided missile destroyers operated by the Royal Australian Navy . Ordered from Defoe Shipbuilding Company during 1962 and 1963, HMA Ships , , and were the first guided missiled-armed warships, and the first naval ships of United...

). Although broadly similar to the US Navy's vessels, the Australian ships were fitted with the Ikara system
Ikara (missile)
The Ikara missile was an Australian ship-launched anti-submarine missile, named after an Australian Aboriginal word for "throwing stick". It launched an acoustic torpedo to a range of , allowing fast-reaction attacks against submarines at ranges that would otherwise require the launching ship to...

 instead of the ASROC
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...

that was fitted to the American units. The three ships were:

External links

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