The moment an American frigate is hit by missiles, filmed

The American frigate USS Rodney M. Davis, of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, was destroyed earlier this month. Unlike the Russian cruiser Moskva, which was sent to the bottom of the sea by enemy forces, the US ship was sunk during a military exercise – Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.

Units from the US, Australia, Canada and Malaysia participated in the phase in which the ship was sunk.

The frigate is named after Sergeant Rodney Maxwell Davis, who received the Medal of Honor. The ship entered active service in 1987 and was retired in 2015. Its use as a target has stirred some controversy, as the Medal of Honor is America’s highest military award. Moreover, Davis lost her life in combat. Interestingly, in 2018 the US considered giving the ship to Ukraine for free.

Diving with care for the environment

USS Rodney M. Davis was hit by a barrage of missiles fired from other ships and bombs dropped by F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35C and P-8 Poseidon aircraft. The wreck lies at a depth of about 4.5 kilometres, 93 km off Hawaii.

Vessels used as targets are not simply towed to a particular point. They are prepared for sinking to meet the conditions imposed by the environmental authorities. Vessels must be sunk in specially chosen areas at least 90 km from the shore and at a certain depth.

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Moreover, target ships are cleaned of dangerous substances and tanks and pipes are emptied of fuel. At the same time, any equipment that can be reused or recycled is removed before the exercise.

Other Oliver Hazard Perry class ships recently used on target were the Thach, Ford and McClusky.

RIMPAC 2022 has 26 countries, 38 surface ships, four submarines, 170 aircraft, 30 unmanned systems and 25,000 personnel participating.