She is tougher than you think

The Sea that is. Go to sea more often and you figure that out real fast.

Serious structural defects have been identified throughout the United States Navy's fleet of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Jane's can reveal.

The navy (USN) has admitted that many of the 51 ships currently in service are buckling under the stress of higher-than-anticipated loads at sea.

The impact of rough-sea slamming on the bow has led to warping of main transverse bulkhead beams and some of the cribbing, a source said.

Repairs and strengthening work is already being carried out on the latest Flight IIA ships as well as vessels from the earlier production batches.

Oops. Byron, over to you.