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MILNET: U.S.S. Nicholson DD-982
U.S.S. Elliot DD-967 Shown
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For airborne defense work, the very capable NATO Sea Sparrow loads from a vertical magazine behind the launcher. The typical load is 16 Sea Sparrow SAMS.
Recently upgraded, the Nicholson also fields a 61 cell vertical launch system replacing the forward box launcher. This allows the launch of Tomahawk, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, or vertical launch ASROC in rapid fire and with little preperation. ASROC s a rocket assisted homing torpedos which is launched through the air to a location quite near the target, where the torpedo warhead then seeks out and attacks the submarine. The ASROC system of today is not only accurate but quite deadly with modern homing technology making the torpedo piercing the surface an attack no submarine can ignore.
The Tomahawk Tactical Land Attack Missile (TLAM-D) allows the Nicholson to attack inland from the coastline, using a pre-programmed radar avoiding flight path which makes the attack virtually undetectable until it is too late. Proven in the Gulf War in 1991, the Tomahawk allows the Nicholson to save American lives in the early moments of hostility by not risking American life while delivering precise yet devastatingly accurate destruction. Also, the SLAM (Ship-launched Land Attack Missile) version of the Harpoon can be carried as well, allowing the Nicholson to attack land targets in the closer in littoral area of the advesary.
For detection, the Nicholson mounts the SQS-53 hull mounted sonar bubble and the LAMPS III SH-60 sonar dipping helicopter of which one is embarked, and a second can be tied down on the landing pad in emergency. The TACAS SQR-19 towed sonar array was also added in later years to dramatically improve the listening and active detection of underwater targets. For control of underwater engagements, the Nicholson sports the Mk116 underwater fire control system.
For surface engagements, the SLQ-32 "Slick-32" electronic warfare suite has been added which provides high-tech electronic countermeasures defeating the best the advisory has to offer in electronic masking.
Also topside is the SPS-40 and SPS-55 surveillance radars and WSC-3 "Whisky-3" satellite communications system. Later modifications to this gear have made the Nicholson quite mission capable and integrates the Mk 86 GFCS fire control, the Sea Sparrow and 5 inch 54 caliber guns into the AEGIS network, allowing the aging destroyer to continue to fight alongside its newer brothers.
SpruanceClass Guided Missile Destroyer
| Specification | Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Builder | Litton Ingalis, commissioned on | ||||||||||||||||||
| Displacement | 7,800 tons, fully loaded | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dimensions (len x widx draft), ft | 563 x 55 x 29 ft. (navigation) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Propulsion | 4 General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 2 shafts, 80,000 shaft horsepower total. 2 controllable pitch propellers |
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| Performance | 30+ knots | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crew | 21 officers, 329 enlisted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Armament |
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| Aircraft
The LAMPS III system allows datalink for over the horizon attack on surface vessels as well as prosecution of underwater contacts detected with dipped sonar detectors. |
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| Sensors - Air/Surface, Electronic Warfare |
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| Sensors - Anti-Submarine |
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