Эсминец ВМС США «Бенфолд»: характеристики и модернизации

US Navy destroyer

USS Benfold (DDG 65) is a Flight I in the United States Navy. She is a multi mission platform capable of anti aircraft warfare (AAW) with the powerful Aegis Combat System suite and anti aircraft missiles, anti submarine warfare (ASW), with towed sonar array, anti submarine rockets, anti surface warfare (ASUW) with Harpoon missiles, and strategic land strike using Tomahawk missiles. Benfold was one of the first ships fitted with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and during the 2010 Stellar Daggers exercise was the first ship to simultaneously engage a ballistic missile and a cruise missile. Former Benfold commanding officers include Admiral Mark Ferguson, Admiral Michael Gilday, Vice Admiral Thomas H. Copeman III, and author D. Michael Abrashoff.

Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Benfold is the 15th of a planned 90 Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers. Named for posthumous Korean War United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold, she joined the U. S. Pacific Fleet for service on 30 March 1996. Equipped with the Aegis air defense system and the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System for multiple types of guided missiles, Benfold is capable of defensive and offensive operations against warplanes, anti ship missiles, surface ships, submarines, and shore targets. In addition to her missiles, she carries one 5 inch rapid fire naval gun for action against surface ships and for shore bombardment. She also carries anti submarine torpedoes, and two Phalanx CIWS anti missile guns. She has a flight deck for MH 60R/S Seahawk Helicopters and is capable of refueling and re arming these helicopters, but she does not have a hangar for storing and maintaining helicopters.

In 2011, Benfold entered drydock at BAE Systems, San Diego to receive an extensive $32 million mid life upgrade. The hull mechanical and electrical (HM&E) upgrades included a fully integrated bridge, improved machinery and damage control, quality of life improvements, an advanced galley, and commercial off the shelf computing equipment.

In 2013, Benfold underwent extensive combat systems upgrades to include the installation of Aegis Baseline 9C, Ballistic Missile Defense version 5.0, A(V) 15 SONAR Suite, and also became Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) capable.

In 2012, USS Benfold was the first San Diego based naval ship invited to participate in the Koa Kai naval exercises. Benfold conducted integrated flight operations, anti surface and anti submarine training, dynamic ship maneuvers, ballistic missile defense, small boat attacks and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) utilizing the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team.

On 19 November 2017 Benfold was involved in a minor collision with a Japanese commercial tug off Sagami Bay. The tug lost power and drifted into Benfold, causing damage described as minimal, with some scraping to the ship's side. There were no injuries reported on either vessel; Benfold continued at sea, while the tug was towed to Yokosuka.

On 6 August 2023, Benfold and three other destroyers responded to a joint Chinese Russian patrol in international waters near Alaska. The Chinese Russian flotilla left without incident. On 9 August 2023, The Navy announced plans to extend the ship's service life beyond the initial 35 years, intending to keep Benfold in service until at least 2036.