The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), a guided-missile frigate that once served in the United States Navy, was intentionally sunk during a controlled SINKEX, or sinking exercise, after being hit by an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. Rather than being lost in combat, the event represented the ship’s final assignment following decades of active service.
Commissioned in 1982, the vessel belonged to the Oliver Hazard Perry–class of frigates, a group of warships developed during the Cold War. These ships were built primarily for anti-submarine warfare and for escorting larger vessels in naval task forces. The frigate was named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, recognizing his bravery during the Vietnam War.Throughout its operational life, the ship participated in numerous patrols, multinational exercises, and maritime security missions across the globe. Before the SINKEX took place, crews removed hazardous materials and sensitive systems to comply with environmental and safety standards.
When the Harpoon missile struck its target, the test provided analysts with valuable information about weapon effectiveness and ship durability. While the sinking was bittersweet for former crew members, the exercise ultimately supported naval research, training, and future fleet development.
