Naval Technology:
The US Navy has launched a standard missile (SM-2) in the Virginia Capes operating area from on-board its Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).
The missile launch targeted a BQM-74E air-launched drone and displayed the destroyer’s ability to defend and protect the ship against a close-in aerial attack. In addition, the navy vessel successfully demonstrated its ability to employ a layered defence strategy to engage a target using the Mk 45 MOD2 five-inch, 54-calibre gun weapon along with the Aegis Weapons System.
DDG 68 was initially deployed on 26 May as part of the US Navy’s Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), which is currently forward-deployed in the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.
