The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60), once an active guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, was deliberately sunk during a controlled SINKEX (sinking exercise) after being struck by an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The event marked the vessel’s final mission following decades of service rather than a combat loss.
Commissioned in 1982, the ship was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, designed during the Cold War primarily for anti-submarine warfare and escort duties. Named for Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, the frigate supported patrols, joint exercises, and maritime security operations worldwide.
Before the exercise, hazardous materials and sensitive equipment were removed to meet environmental standards. The missile struck as planned, allowing analysts to gather valuable data on weapon performance and ship survivability. Though emotional for former crew members, the sinking ultimately contributed to naval readiness and future fleet development.