USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) Is Sunk During U.S. Navy Missile Exercise
The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), once an active guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, was intentionally sunk during a scheduled live-fire naval exercise after being struck by an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The event took place as part of a SINKEX, or sinking exercise, a type of controlled military training operation designed to evaluate weapon performance and improve naval readiness under realistic conditions.
Although the imagery of a missile striking a former warship may appear dramatic, the sinking of USS Rodney M. Davis was not the result of combat or an unexpected incident. Instead, it marked the final chapter in the vessel’s long operational history, following decades of service and a carefully planned decommissioning process.
A Warship Built for the Cold War
USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, a class of ships developed during the Cold War to address growing concerns about submarine threats and the need for cost-effective surface combatants. Commissioned in 1982, the ship was named in honor of Marine Corps Captain Rodney Maxwell Davis, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but they were also equipped to engage surface and limited air threats. These ships became a cornerstone of U.S. Navy operations during the late 20th century, particularly in escort roles for aircraft carrier strike groups and logistics convoys.
USS Rodney M. Davis served for more than two decades, participating in routine patrols, joint exercises with allied navies, and operations supporting maritime security and regional stability. Like many ships of its class, it operated across multiple theaters, reflecting the global reach of U.S. naval forces during and after the Cold War.
Decommissioning and Selection for SINKEX
As naval technology advanced and newer classes of warships entered service, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were gradually phased out. USS Rodney M. Davis was decommissioned as part of this broader fleet modernization effort.
Following decommissioning, some retired vessels are transferred to allied navies, converted into museum ships, or dismantled through ship recycling programs. Others, however, are selected to serve as target ships in SINKEX events.
SINKEX exercises allow the Navy to conduct live-fire testing in a controlled environment. These exercises are critical for evaluating the real-world performance of missiles, torpedoes, and other weapons systems. They also provide valuable data on ship survivability, damage progression, and weapon effectiveness that cannot be fully replicated through simulations alone.
Before being used as a target, USS Rodney M. Davis underwent extensive preparation. Hazardous materials, fuels, and sensitive equipment were removed to minimize environmental impact. The Navy follows strict environmental regulations for such exercises, ensuring compliance with U.S. law and international standards governing ocean disposal.
The Harpoon Missile and Its Role
The AGM-84 Harpoon is a long-standing anti-ship missile used by the U.S. Navy and many allied forces. Designed to strike surface vessels, the missile is known for its sea-skimming flight profile, which allows it to travel at low altitude above the water to reduce detection and interception.
During the exercise involving USS Rodney M. Davis, the Harpoon missile was launched under controlled conditions. Its purpose was not only to destroy the target vessel, but also to collect data on missile accuracy, guidance behavior, and damage effects against a real ship hull.
Observers reported that the missile impacted the ship’s structure as intended. The resulting damage compromised the vessel’s integrity, leading to flooding and progressive loss of stability. As with many warships, the frigate’s compartmentalized design initially delayed sinking, demonstrating the survivability features built into naval vessels.
Over time, however, accumulated damage and water ingress caused the ship to list and eventually sink. The sinking occurred in a designated area, with monitoring systems in place to track the vessel’s descent and environmental effects.
Understanding SINKEX Objectives
SINKEX exercises serve multiple purposes beyond the destruction of retired ships. From a technical perspective, they allow engineers and analysts to compare real-world outcomes with theoretical models. This information helps refine future weapon designs and improve defensive systems aboard active ships.
For fleet commanders, such exercises provide insight into how ships respond to missile impacts, including fire spread, flooding patterns, and structural failure points. This knowledge is essential for developing effective damage control procedures and crew training programs.
