Spruance was the first of the U.S. Navy's destroyers to be fitted with the Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System (GEDMS), manufactured by the Boeing Company. GEDMS provides an Internet Protocol (IP) based backbone for video and data services on the ship.[7] The bridge features touch screen controls and color readouts instead of gauges.[8]
Ship history
She was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. At her christening on 5 June 2010, the principal address was delivered by Honorable John Baldacci of Maine, and the vessel was christened by Ellen Spruance Holscher as the ship's sponsor. Commander Tate Westbrook was the ship's first commanding officer.
She sailed from San Diego on her maiden deployment on 16 October 2013, heading for Asia under the command of Commander George Kessler who was succeeded by Commander Daniel Cobian.[8]
On 18 January 2014, sailors from the Spruance rescued a Filipino mariner who had fallen overboard from his vessel while transiting the Singapore Strait.[9]Spruance returned to Naval Base San Diego on 17 April 2014 following the completion of her maiden deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.[10]
On 18 April 2019, Spruance arrived in Sri Lanka for the 25th anniversary of CARAT 2019 series[11]
Spruance and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) departed the Port of Seattle 2 Aug. 2019, officially ending SeattleFleet Week.[12]
January 2024, The US Navy reinstalls ODIN Laser on destroyer Spruance. ODIN, a solid-state laser system, is designed primarily to counter and neutralize the sensors on UAS, effectively blinding them without destroying the aircraft. Technical aspects of the ODIN system include its ability to emit a high-intensity laser beam, targeting the optical sensors of enemy drones.[15]
Spruance arrived at the Port of Colombo, situated in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 19 August 2024 on a replenishment visit. The vessel is scheduled to depart the island on 20 August 2024.[16]
On the morning of 27 September 2024, while transiting the Red Sea with the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Stockdale and Freedom class littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis, she was attacked by roughly two dozen missiles and drones launched by Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. All missiles and drones were intercepted by the flotilla or missed their target outright.[17]
On 11 November 2024, the Houthis again attacked the Spruance and Stockdale, launching eight drones, five ballistic missiles and three cruise missiles at the American destroyers. All of the projectiles were shot down by the destroyers with no damage or casualties to the vessels.[18]
Deployments
16 October 2013 – 17 April 2014 Maiden deployment 7th Fleet
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