Kidd-class destroyer

Kidd-class destroyer. The Kidd class was a series of four guided-missile destroyers originally built for the Imperial Iranian Navy but acquired and commissioned by the United States Navy in the early 1980s. Derived from the Spruance-class destroyer hull, they were uniquely optimized for anti-aircraft warfare and anti-submarine warfare in high-threat environments, earning the nickname "the deadliest DDGs in the Pacific Fleet." Following their U.S. service, all four ships were transferred to the Republic of China Navy where they remain in active service as the Kee Lung-class destroyer.

Design and development

The class originated from an order placed by the Imperial Iranian Navy under the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi for advanced, air-defense capable destroyers to protect vital assets in the Persian Gulf. The design was a modified Spruance-class destroyer, incorporating the sophisticated AN/SPY-1D Aegis Combat System radar and the Mk 26 missile launcher system intended for the new CG-47 Ticonderoga-class cruiser. Following the Iranian Revolution and the cancellation of the order, the United States Congress authorized the United States Navy to complete and commission the nearly-finished vessels. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, they were named for United States Navy admirals, including Isaac C. Kidd.

Description

The Kidd-class destroyers shared the robust hull, General Electric LM2500 gas turbine propulsion plants, and general layout of the Spruance class, providing excellent seakeeping and endurance. Their primary distinction was the integrated AN/SPY-1D radar and the twin Mk 26 missile launchers, granting a formidable anti-aircraft warfare capability with a large magazine capacity for Standard SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles and RUR-5 ASROC anti-submarine rockets. Armament also included Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two 5-inch guns, Phalanx CIWS for point defense, and torpedo tubes. They featured enhanced C4ISR systems and full facilities for two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, supporting extended anti-submarine warfare operations.

Service history

Commissioned between 1981 and 1982, the ships, USS Kidd (DDG-993), USS Callaghan (DDG-994), USS Scott (DDG-995), and USS Chandler (DDG-996), were initially assigned to the Pacific Fleet. They frequently operated with Seventh Fleet carrier battle groups, such as those centered on USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), providing protective air defense umbrellas. During the 1980s, they participated in major exercises like RIMPAC and conducted forward deployments to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. In the 1990s, they supported operations during the Gulf War and enforced sanctions against Iraq. Decommissioned from U.S. service between 1998 and 1999, all four were transferred to Taiwan under the Republic of China Navy in the mid-2000s, where they were renamed and continue to serve as key fleet assets.

Ships in class

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Name !! Hull number !! U.S. Navy commission !! ROC Navy commission !! Status |- | USS Kidd (DDG-993) || DDG-993 || 1981 || 2005 || Active in Republic of China Navy as ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801) |- | USS Callaghan (DDG-994) || DDG-994 || 1981 || 2005 || Active in Republic of China Navy as ROCS Su Ao (DDG-1802) |- | USS Scott (DDG-995) || DDG-995 || 1981 || 2005 || Active in Republic of China Navy as ROCS Tso Ying (DDG-1803) |- | USS Chandler (DDG-996) || DDG-996 || 1982 || 2006 || Active in Republic of China Navy as ROCS Ma Kong (DDG-1805) |}

See also

* Spruance-class destroyer * Arleigh Burke-class destroyer * CG-47 Ticonderoga-class cruiser * Aegis Combat System * Republic of China Navy

Category:Destroyer classes Category:Guided-missile destroyers of the United States Category:Ships of the Republic of China Navy