The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) was intentionally sunk during a controlled SINKEX (sinking exercise) after being struck by an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The event marked the ship’s final chapter after decades of active service, not a combat loss.
Commissioned in 1982, the vessel was part of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, built during the Cold War to perform anti-submarine warfare, escort missions, and maritime security operations. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, the ship served globally in patrols, joint exercises, and coalition operations.
Prior to the exercise, the Navy removed hazardous materials and sensitive systems to comply with environmental and safety standards. The Harpoon missile impacted as planned, enabling military analysts to collect critical data on weapons effectiveness and structural survivability.
While the sinking carried emotional weight for former crew members, it ultimately served a strategic purpose—enhancing naval readiness, improving tactical evaluation, and contributing to the development of future fleet capabilities.
