The USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), a guided-missile frigate of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, concluded nearly three decades of U.S. Navy service in 2022 during a multinational training event. Commissioned in 1987 and named after Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, the ship served through the final years of the Cold War and into the modern era, taking part in patrols, security missions, and joint naval exercises around the world.
After its retirement, the vessel was selected for a SINKEX (sinking exercise) during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise near Hawaii. Before the operation, naval engineers carefully prepared the ship by removing fuel, hazardous materials, and sensitive equipment to meet environmental and security standards.
During the exercise, the former warship was targeted with live weapons, including an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The controlled strike allowed military analysts and engineers to observe how modern weapons perform against a large naval target and to gather valuable data on ship survivability and missile effectiveness.
Although the sinking marked the end of the ship’s long career, it also served an important purpose. The information collected helps improve future warship design, weapons technology, and naval training, ensuring that current and future sailors are better prepared for real-world maritime operations.
