The unassuming destroyer that redefined naval propulsion and modular design

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Initially criticized for its modest appearance, the Spruance-class destroyer became a cornerstone of modern naval architecture. By introducing gas-turbine propulsion and a versatile modular design, these ships laid the groundwork for the most advanced warships in the United States Navy today.

Introduced in 1975, the Spruance-class destroyer was designed to replace aging World War II-era vessels like the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes. Unlike previous designs, the Spruance was significantly larger, comparable in size to contemporary guided-missile cruisers. Such expanded dimensions enabled a significant breakthrough: a flight deck plus an enclosed hangar that could hold two medium-lift helicopters, marking a novelty for any U.S. Navy destroyer.

The class was also a pioneer in propulsion. Using a configuration known as Combined Gas And Gas (COGAG), the ships utilized four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines to generate approximately 80,000 horsepower. This successful arrangement became the standard for most subsequent U.S. warships; by 2010, nearly all U.S. Navy surface combatants—excluding nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and the LCS-1—employed this LM2500 COGAG setup.

While initially controversial due to a perceived lack of anti-ship missile capability compared to Soviet designs, the class proved its worth through modularity and upgrades. Many vessels were retrofitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles via Armored Box Launchers or Vertical Launch Systems (VLS). This versatility allowed them to transition from specialized anti-submarine warfare roles to land-attack missions, notably firing 112 Tomahawks during Operation Desert Storm. The Spruance's hull and propulsion designs eventually served as the foundation for the Kidd-class destroyers and the Ticonderoga-class cruisers.

The class was retired earlier than anticipated to save $28 million annually, with the last ship, the USS Cushing, decommissioned on 21 September 2005. While many were destroyed as targets or broken up, the design's legacy lives on in the Arleigh Burke-class, which succeeded them as the Navy's primary destroyer.

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