Built for action in the Persian Gulf, these ships are oriented for general purpose operations rather than specialized anti-submarine war. The most formidable warship of her size ever to patrol the world’s oceans, blending the best features of the SPRUANCE Class destroyers with the combat system of the VIRGINIA Class nuclear cruisers to produce a ship with unique characteristics: A ship so quiet, and an ASW system so capable, that she operates offensively against submarines.
The most sophisticated medium-range AAW systems in the Fleet, quick-reacting and highly accurate, with the capability for today’s air defense environment and the growth potential for tomorrow’s.
An exceptionally reliable and responsive engineering plant.
A deadly surface-to-surface weapons capability. These characteristics make KIDD a triple-threat, one of the few truly multi-mission ships, able to operate offensively, to deal with simultaneous air, surface, and sub-surface attacks. After over 16 years of service with the U.S. Navy, this ship was decommissioned on March 12th, 1988.