The former USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) was deliberately sunk during a controlled SINKEX after being hit by an AGM-84 Harpoon missile — marking the end of its service, not a combat loss.
Commissioned in 1982, the ship was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, built for Cold War anti-submarine and escort missions. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Maxwell Davis, it served in patrols, joint exercises, and maritime security operations worldwide.
Before the exercise, hazardous materials and sensitive equipment were removed to meet environmental standards. The planned missile strike allowed the Navy to collect valuable data on weapon effectiveness and ship survivability.
While emotional for former crew members, the sinking ultimately supported naval readiness and future fleet development.