Gourley. 'Expanded Edition with more photos, updated content and 20+ more pages'. Currently the most capable and sophisticated destroyer class in the world, Arleigh Burke-class had its beginnings in the mid-1970s, the result of a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) research project. In the years following the Vietnam War, cost and size constraints were dominate factors motivating the design process. The new ship had to be effect as an antisubmarine escort for the carrier battle groups, but also able to engage and neutralize airborne threats. The new ship was also intended to replace older ships of several classes due for replacement. The need for Arleigh Burke, Flights of Ships, Ships of Flight, DDG-51 Class Operational Notes, Overhaul and Refit Periods, Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), Operation Tomodaci & Odyssey Dawn, Shipboard Electronics, Aegis fire control illuminator AS-3444, SLQ-32 ECM antenna array, Radars, Data-links and SRS-1 Combat DF. Illustrated with over 200 color photo's; 80 pages.