USS HAYLER (DD-997)

USS Hayler (DD-997)
Career
Awarded:	29 September 1979
Laid down:	20 October 1980
Launched:	2 March 1982
Commissioned:	5 March 1983
Decommissioned:	25 August 2003
Struck:	6 April 2004
Fate:	Sunk as a target, 13 November 2004
General Characteristics
Displacement:	8,040 tons full load
Length:	529 ft (161 m) waterline; 563 ft (172 m) overall
Beam:	55 ft (16.8 m)
Draft:	29 ft (8.8 m)
Propulsion:	4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines; 80,000 shp (60 MW); 2 × shafts.
Speed:	32.5 knots (60 km/h)
Range:	6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h); 3,300 nautical miles (6,000 km) at 30 knots (56 km/h)
Complement:	19 officers, 315 enlisted
Armament:	2 × 5 in (127 mm) / 54 caliber Mark 45 dual purpose guns; 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mark 15 guns; 1 × 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrow Mark 29 missile launcher; 2 × quadruple Harpoon missile canisters.
Aircraft:	2 × SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters.
Motto:	''Courageous in Conflict''

'USS ''Hayler'' (DD-997)', the last ''Spruance''-class destroyer, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Vice Admiral Robert W. Hayler (1891–1980).
For fiscal year 1978, congress authorized the production of two additional ''Spruance''-class destroyers, though they funded only one. These were intended to be build as helicopter destroyers (DDH), provided they would not cost more than a standard ''Spruance''-class. Litton-Ingalls completed done sketch design work for DDH-997, which moved the helicopter deck aft, stretching the length of the hangar and displacing the Sea Sparrow launcher to the top of the hangar. The design would have accommodated two SH-3 Sea Kings or four smaller SH-60 Seahawk or SH-2 Seasprite helicopters. While the prospective DDH-997 probably wouldn't have cost much more to build than a standard ''Spruance''-class, the detail design and engineering work required before the ship could be built would have been substantial (similar work for the ''Kidd''-class cost $110.8 million). This raised the cost of the DDH substantially above a standard ''Spruance''-class destroyer. While this additional cost might have been justified if the DDH was going to enter series production, it was difficult to justify for a single ship. Accordingly the Navy built ''Hayler'' to the same design as the rest of the class.
''Hayler'' was laid down on 20 October 1980 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Pascagoula, Miss.; launched on 2 March 1982; and commissioned on 5 March 1983.
''Hayler'' was decommissioned 25 August 2003 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 6 April 2004, and sunk as a target 13 November 2004 during the 2004 Sink Exercise.

Contents

Ship's crest

See also

External links

Ship's crest

''Hayler's crest is representative of Vice Admiral Hayler's inspiring leadership, his dedication to his country, his proficiency as a naval officer, and of the history and traditions of the naval service.
The gold stars on the blue background in the upper area of the shield symbolize the many Pacific Island Campaigns Admiral Hayler participated in as a Commanding Officer, and as a Commander of a cruiser division during World War II. The stars also represent the numerous awards he received, some repeated two and three times. The chevron is a symbol of strength and support, and the blue crosses represent the Admirals's three Navy Crosses, an award for valour exceeded only by the Medal of Honor.
The crossed red battle axes are a symbol of strength and resourcefulness under fire, and represent Admiral Hayler's wartime service. The two stars they bear are in recognition of the Silver and Bronze Star Medals awarded to Admiral Hayler for valour. The bomb represents naval firepower, gunfire support and anti-aircraft fire, and symbolizes the contributions of Admiral Hayler to the development of naval ordnance at the outbreak of World War II.
The anchor refers to the fleet, and Admiral Hayler's efforts toward its strength and safety. The predominant colors, red, white, and blue, are representative of the national flag, and Admiral Hayler's patriotism and loyalty to the flag and the nation it represents.

See also

★ List of United States Navy destroyers

External links

★ nvr.navy.mil: USS ''Hayler''

★ navsource.org: USS ''Hayler''

★ navysite.de: USS ''Hayler''

★ ''Hayler'' Association