The US Navy has sent the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ralph Johnson to the South China Sea, which can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) has arrived in the South China Sea. The US Navy ship is taking part in military exercises with Philippine forces.

Here's What We Know

USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) travelled to the disputed waters off Palawan to improve operational interoperability between the U.S. Navy and the Philippine Navy. The US ship joined the BRP Jose Rizal guided missile frigate.

The US presence in the region is governed by the provisions of the Mutual Defence Board. It is a security programme to develop interoperability between the navies of the two nations.

USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) was commissioned into the US Navy in March 2018. It is the 64th destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class. It is armed with Mark 32, Mark 46, Mark 50, Mark 54 torpedoes. There is space on board for two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

The destroyer has received the Mk 41 vertical launch system. It allows the launch of Standard family anti-aircraft missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC missiles for anti-submarine warfare.

Source: The Manila Times