The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), a guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, was intentionally sunk during a controlled sinking exercise (SINKEX) after being struck by an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The event marked the vessel’s final disposition following decades of service, concluding its operational history not in combat, but as part of a planned training and evaluation exercise.
Commissioned in 1982, the ship belonged to the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate series, which was developed during the Cold War era for roles including convoy escort, maritime patrol, and anti-submarine warfare. Named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, the frigate participated in numerous deployments, multinational exercises, and maritime security missions throughout its service life.
Prior to the sinking exercise, hazardous materials and sensitive systems were removed in accordance with environmental and safety protocols. The controlled strike allowed the U.S. Navy to collect data on weapons effectiveness and ship survivability under realistic conditions. While the event carried symbolic weight for former crew members and naval observers, it also served a practical purpose in informing future fleet development and operational planning.
