Bainbridge (DLGN 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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ANTI-AIR WARFARE If it ' s an air target the Bainb ridge is seeking, then she is equally well armed by her unique pin-point supersonic airborne target detection radar and her beam-riding advanced Terrier guided missiles. The SPS-39 Frescan, the world ' s first seaborne three-dimensional air defense radar, provides simultaneous range, bearing, and height information on a great many supersonic airborne targets with only one antenna, transmitter and receiver. Frescan also features the first elec- tronic stabilization to compensate for pitch and roll of a ship at sea. Frequency scann ing per- mits rapid movement of a pencil-shaped radar beam by changing the transmitter frequency. This technique eliminates mechanical nodding of the antenna. The advanced Terrier system aboard Bainbridge significandy increases the effectiveness of the missile defense against air attack. Terrier went into operation as a supersonic, all weather, surface-to-air missile, designed to knock down enemy aircraft at distant altitudes and ranges. It is semi-automatically loaded, trained, elevated, and fired in a sequence of events that takes only a few seconds for each launching. Once aloft, it rides a radar beam to its target, reaching supersonic speeds by means of a rocket booster and maintaining its flight with the help of a solid fuel rocket engine. The first propulsion stage of an advanced Terrier is a separate booster rocket that supplies high thrust to launch and accelerate the missile to its supersonic speeds. At booster burnout, the empty case falls away and the second stage rocket ignites. The second stage, called the sustainer, is part of the missile proper and maintains the velocity required to match any eva- sive maneuver the target aircraft may take. In addition to the advanced Terriers, Bainbridge also carries in her weaponn, ' two twin- mount rapid fire 3 50 caliber guns for close-in surface or air fighting.

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Leaving Ismir, Turkey, Bainbridge demonstrated her amazing mobility by a high speed dash to the southern side of Crete where she provided anti-submarine and anti-air support for an amphibious landing exercise. It was here she was singled out for a special commendation from Com- mander, Task Group 60 for her expeditious and successful attack on the prowling U. S. submarine Tigrone. The sortie from Naples, Italy was opposed by the U. S. submarine San a Iving in wait between the islands of Capri and Ischia. Bainbridge underway early to perform screening duties, detected Sarda with her pow- erful sonar and simulated numerous attacks, holding the submarine down to permit safe exit from the harbor for the heavies . 17

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Anti-Air Defense Air defense is one of the more important missions o{ Btiinbridgc The armament of B(ii)ibii(lgc brought to tlie fleet the newest Terrier missile. A Terrier missile is shown in flight to its target (opposite page). (Left bottom) The eves of the liuinhriilge are extended bv a variety ot special and vevy sophisticated radars. The complex job of anah-zing information from air and surface radars, and manifold other sources, is perlormed in the ships CIC (upper right). (Right) While his range is limited, the man with th e binoculars still plavs a part.