On March 20, 2026, the former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, was deliberately sunk during a scheduled naval SINKEX exercise. The operation, designed to test missile performance and improve naval readiness, involved the controlled impact of an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
A Frigate Built for Cold War Operations
Commissioned in 1982, USS Rodney M. Davis was named after Marine Corps Captain Rodney Maxwell Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War. As an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, it was primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare but also equipped to handle surface and limited air threats. Over more than two decades of service, the ship participated in patrols, joint exercises, and missions ensuring maritime security across multiple global theaters.
From Decommissioning to SINKEX
As newer warships entered service, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class was gradually retired. Decommissioned vessels like USS Rodney M. Davis can be repurposed for allied navies, turned into museum ships, recycled, or used in SINKEX exercises.
SINKEX operations provide the Navy with critical real-world data on weapons effectiveness, ship survivability, and damage progression. Before sinking, the vessel underwent thorough preparation, with fuels, hazardous materials, and sensitive equipment removed to meet environmental and safety standards.
The Role of the Harpoon Missile
The AGM-84 Harpoon is a long-standing anti-ship missile, designed for sea-skimming attacks that reduce detection risk. During the exercise, the missile struck the ship as planned, causing flooding and eventual structural failure. Observers noted the frigate’s compartmentalized design delayed sinking, highlighting its built-in survivability features.
Objectives of SINKEX Exercises
SINKEX events allow engineers and naval commanders to:
Test missile guidance and hull damage effects.
Improve damage control procedures and crew training.
Evaluate ship defense systems and structural design under realistic conditions.
Beyond testing, sunken ships often serve as artificial reefs, supporting marine ecosystems—a secondary environmental benefit of these carefully managed exercises.
Emotional Significance for Veterans
For former crew members and veterans, seeing USS Rodney M. Davis sink carried deep meaning. The ship represented shared memories, challenges, and camaraderie. While its decommissioning marked the end of active service, its final role contributed to naval knowledge and safety, offering a sense of closure and pride for those who served aboard.
Broader Implications for Naval Strategy
The exercise underscores the continued relevance of anti-ship missiles like the Harpoon in modern naval warfare. It also highlights the vulnerability of legacy vessels to advanced weapons, reinforcing the need for modern defensive technologies, electronic warfare systems, and continuous training to maintain fleet readiness.
Conclusion
The deliberate sinking of USS Rodney M. Davis was not an accident or combat event, but a carefully planned SINKEX exercise that advanced naval research, training, and weapons evaluation. From Cold War service to its final mission beneath the waves, the frigate exemplified decades of evolution in U.S. naval operations. Though its patrols have ended, its final act contributed to the safety and effectiveness of future missions, embodying the principle that a warship’s duty continues until it has nothing more to give.
