What is the USS Fitzgerald, which entered Iran's territorial waters? Here's a look at the US destroyer

Iran on Wednesday said it warned the USS Fitzgerald, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, to change course as it moved through waters close to Iranian territory. Iranian state TV released footage showing a helicopter in visual range of the vessel, with a voice issuing a radio warning to alter course.

Iranian state TV described the destroyer's presence as a "provocative move" and said the ship left the area following repeated warnings. The warning referenced the vessel’s advanced capabilities, highlighting its multi-mission roles including Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Anti-Surface Warfare.

The USS Fitzgerald is equipped with the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), allowing it to deploy Standard Missiles for air defence, Tomahawk cruise missiles for strike missions, and ASROC anti-submarine rockets. The destroyer also carries two MH-60R helicopters, enhancing its anti-submarine and surface warfare reach. As part of the Arleigh Burke-class, it features the Aegis Combat System and Ballistic Missile Defence capabilities, making it a highly capable warship in multiple domains.

In contrast, a US defence official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the interaction occurred entirely in international waters and had "no impact to USS Fitzgerald's mission," calling reports to the contrary misinformation from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC.

The official identified the aircraft involved as an Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter. The encounter follows recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Washington claims were part of a weapons programme—an assertion Iran denies, maintaining its nuclear efforts are civilian.

USS Fitzgerald features
Guided-missile destroyers like the USS Fitzgerald are multi-mission combatants capable of Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). Their strike role is enhanced by the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). Ships equipped with Aegis Baseline 9 also offer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities.

• Builder: General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries
  
  
• Combat system: Lockheed Martin
  
  
• Propulsion: Four GE LM2500-30 gas turbines, 100,000 shp
  
  
• Length: 505 to 509.5 ft
  
  
• Beam: 59 ft
  
  
• Displacement: 8,230 to 9,700 long tons
  
  
• Speed: 30 plus knots
  
  
• Armament: VLS for Standard Missiles, ASROC, Tomahawk, MK-46 torpedoes, MK 45 5-inch gun, ESSM, CIWS
  
  
• Aircraft (Flights IIA and III): Two LAMPS MK III MH-60R helicopters
  
  

To date, 74 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have been delivered to the US Navy, with 25 more under contract and 12 in construction.