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USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968) at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS, during MARCOT
98. RADFORD is being used as a test bed for a new 'stealth' mast. If this
is successful in reducing the radar cross-section (RCS) of the ship with
no serious unwanted side effects, this feature will undoubtedly appear
in the next generation of USN warships. The forward 5"/54 gun is visible
forward of the bridge. |
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A profile of RADFORD's superstructure. The SPRUANCE class mounts its
fire control radars higher than most USN ships, with a Lockheed SPQ 9A
on the mast (the dome) and a Lockheed SPG 60 (the fire control radar for
the guns) above that (the dish). Above this is the SRQ-4 LAMPS Mk.3 data
link antenna, SPS 55 surface search radar, and part of the Outboard ELINT
system at the masthead. |
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A close - up of the stealth mast on RADFORD, taken from the starboard
side. The SPRUANCE class carries a Lockheed SPS 40 (B, C, or D) air search
radar on the aft mast; presumably this radar is mounted internally. Some
materials are effectively invisible to radar, like the material surrounding
the SPQ 9A fire control radar shown above (or in the TICONDEROGA section),
allowing the radar to be protected from the elements while not reducing
effectiveness. The ship's SLQ 32(V)2 is visible near the bottom right on
top of the superstructure, and the aft Phalanx 20mm CIWS can be seen just
to the left of the mast (it is on the port side of the ship). |
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Looking along the starboard side of RADFORD. The SQR 19 TACTAS (Tactical
Towed Array Sonar, essentially a long cable with hydrophones along its
length) is deployed through the hole in the center of the transom (stern),
and the holes from which the SLQ 25 Nixie is deployed are also visible.
Strangely enough, the aft 5"/54 gun is pointed right at the boat this picture
was taken from..... |
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The lead ship of the class, USS SPRUANCE, in the spring of 1996. |
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USS NICHOLSON (DD 982), on the same day. The SPS 40 is visible
in both these last two shots on the forward part of the aft mast. |
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USS DEYO (DD 989), during the summer of 1997, with the German frigate
FGS BRANDENBURG visible in the background. Looking at the bridge superstructure
from starboard, the navigation radar can be seen just above the bridge
windows in the middle. To the right, the 61 cell Mk.41 VLS is just visible.
The Mk.41 carries Tomahawk and VL ASROC missiles for land attack and ASW
warfare respectively. |
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NICHOLSON again, tied up alongside Pier 21 in Halifax during 1996.
Although not visible in this shot, the SPRUANCE class carries a second
5"/54 gun just forward of the Mk.41 VLS. |
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Taken from the bridge wing on YORKTOWN, this is a clasp of RADFORD's
superstructure at the base of her forward mast. The navigation radar is
mounted differently on this ship than above (at left), and the satellite
antenna is visible with the Phalanx CIWS just visible behind it. Just below
the navigation radar, under the gray tarpaulin, is the SRBOC (Super Rapid
Blooming Offboard Chaff) launcher. |
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Looking aft along RADFORD's port side, the ship's boat can be seen.
Above the boat is the aft Phalanx CIWS. This photo presents an interesting
study, as the SLQ 32 electronic warfare units on both YORKTOWN (right)
and RADFORD (left) are visible side-by-side. YORKTOWN carries an SLQ 32(V)3,
with a jammer (signified by the third and bottom panel on the near face),
while RADFORD still carries the SLQ 32(V)2 passive EW unit (with only two
panel on the near face). RADFORD should upgrade to a (V)3 in the near future. |
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The hangar on RADFORD. On top of the hangar, the aft funnel is visible,
with another satellite antenna just behind it. Right above the hangar door
(to the starboard side of the hangar roof) is the Mk.95 fire control radar
for the Sea Sparrow missiles, a part of the Mk.91 missile fire control
system. |
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Taken from the flight deck of USS INCHON, this shot looks down on the
quarterdeck on RADFORD. Again, the holes in the transom for the Nixie and
TACTAS are visible. Right aft is the second 5"/54 gun, while immediately
forward of it is the Mk.29 octuple Sea Sparrow point defence missile launcher. |
