USS Hayler

USS Hayler underway on 18 June 2001
History
United States
Name	Hayler
Namesake	Robert W. Hayler
Ordered	29 September 1979
Builder	Ingalls Shipbuilding
Laid down	20 October 1980
Launched	2 March 1982
Sponsored by	Margot Hayler and Nicole Hayler
Acquired	10 February 1983
Commissioned	5 March 1983
Decommissioned	25 August 2003
Stricken	6 April 2004
Identification	Callsign: NRWH Hull number: DD-997
Motto	Courageous in Conflict
Fate	Sunk as target, 13 November 2004
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	Spruance-class destroyer
Displacement	8,040 long tons (8,170 t) full load
Length	529 ft (161 m) waterline 563 ft (172 m) overall
Beam	55 ft (17 m)
Draft	29 ft (8.8 m)
Propulsion	4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 80,000 shp (60 MW)
Speed	32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph)
Range	6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	19 officers, 315 enlisted
Sensors and processing systems	AN/SPS-49 air search radar AN/SPG-60 fire control radar AN/SPS-55 surface search radar AN/SPQ-9 gun fire control radar Mark 23 TAS automatic detection and tracking radar AN/SPS-65 missile fire control radar AN/SQS-53 bow-mounted active sonar AN/SQR-19 TACTAS towed array passive sonar Naval Tactical Data System
Electronic warfare & decoys	AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare system AN/SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo countermeasures Mark 36 SRBOC decoy launching system AN/SLQ-49 inflatable decoys
Armament	2 × 5 in (127 mm) 54 caliber Mark 45 dual purpose guns 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mark 15 guns 1 × 8 cell ASROC launcher (removed) 1 × 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrow Mark 29 missile launcher 2 × quadruple Harpoon missile canisters 2 × Mark 32 triple 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedo tubes (Mk 46 torpedoes) 1 × 61 cell Mk 41 VLS launcher for Tomahawk missiles
Aircraft carried	2 × Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters
Aviation facilities	Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters

USS Hayler (DD-997) was a Spruance-class destroyer that served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 2003. Named for Vice Admiral Robert W. Hayler (1891–1980), she was the last ship of her class.

For fiscal year 1978, Congress authorized the production of two additional Spruance-class destroyers, though they funded only one. These were intended to be built as helicopter destroyers (DDH), provided they would not cost more than a standard Spruance-class. Litton-Ingalls completed 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 a similar design as the rest of the class, while incorporating some systems from the Ticonderoga Cruiser and Kidd Destroyer designs.

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.

According to the U.S. Navy, 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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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 Stars 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.^[1]

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.^[1]

The ship's motto "Courageous in Conflict" exemplifies the ardent professionalism and steadfast leadership that characterized Vice Admiral Hayler's career and now serves as the watchword to guide HAYLER sailors.^[1]

On 23 October 1988, Hayler was in collision with the West German replenishment tanker Rhön. Hayler was badly damaged aft, and was under repair at Rosyth Dockyard, Scotland, until 20 November.^[2]

The ship was assigned escort duties for the USS La Moure County (LST-1194) as it accidentally ran aground near the coast of Caleta Cifuncho Bay, Chile in the pre-dawn hours of 12 September 2000 during a routine amphibious training operation with a sister vessel, the Chilean Valdiva.

Hayler (DD 997) U.S. Navy EOD rigged ship to sink. Fuel storage drums, bow and starboard mid-ship, destroyed for effect before sinking.

The end of ex-USS Hayler, 13 November 2004.

Hayler was decommissioned 25 August 2003 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 6 April 2004 and sunk as a target on 13 November 2004, during the 2004 Sink Exercise.

• 
  USS Hayler on 15 November 1982
• 
  USS Hayler on 1 July 1986
• 
  USS Hayler on 29 April 1989
• 
  USS Hayler on 25 June 1995

• List of destroyers of the United States Navy

 This article incorporates public domain material from USS Hayler (DD-997) Ship's Crest. United States Navy.

• Sturton, Ian (1989). "The Naval Year in Review: F (ii). Major Casualties at Sea From 1 April 1988 to 30 April 1989". In Gardiner, Robert (ed.). Warship 1989. London: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 247–249. ISBN 0-85177-530-6.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Hayler (DD-997).

• nvr.navy.mil: USS Hayler