The USS Arleigh Burke is the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. Built by Bath Iron Works and commissioned in 1991, the ship incorporates lessons learned from the Falklands War and the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. Designed with stealth in mind and equipped with the Aegis Combat System, the Arleigh Burke is capable of launching, tracking, and evading missiles simultaneously.

After extensive testing, the ship deployed to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Seas, participating in various operations, including Operation Provide Promise and the No-Fly Zone over Bosnia. Subsequent deployments took the Arleigh Burke to the Persian Gulf for operations in support of UN sanctions against Iraq and later, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2007, the ship ran aground and its captain was relieved of duty. However, it continued to serve, participating in anti-piracy operations, Africa Partnership Station, and missile strikes against ISIS. In 2021, the Arleigh Burke underwent significant upgrades and relocated its homeport to Rota, Spain. It has since been actively involved in operations in the Baltic, Black, Mediterranean, Barents, and Arctic Seas.

In 2022, the ship was recognized as the top destroyer in its squadron and continued its forward-deployed operations. Most notably, in 2024, the Arleigh Burke intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles during attacks on Israel.