On April 13, 2004, the former U.S. Navy destroyer Ex-USS John Young (DD-973) met its dramatic end during a live-fire exercise known as SINKEX (Sink Exercise), a key component of the Rim of the Pacific–style naval training operations. The decommissioned warship was deliberately targeted and sunk after being struck by a single Mk 48 Mod 6 warshot torpedo, fired from the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN-752). The event provided a rare, real-world test of modern submarine weapons against a full-sized surface combatant and marked the final chapter in the long service life of a Cold War–era destroyer.
USS John Young was a Spruance-class destroyer, commissioned in 1980 and named after Admiral John Young, a highly respected U.S. naval officer and former Chief of Naval Operations. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, the Spruance class featured advanced sonar systems, quiet propulsion, and a balanced weapons load that made it a critical asset during the latter stages of the Cold War. Over more than two decades of service, John Young conducted patrols, participated in multinational exercises, and supported U.S. naval operations around the globe.
By the early 2000s, however, technological advancements and shifting naval doctrine had rendered the Spruance class obsolete. USS John Young was officially decommissioned in 2002, removed from active service, and later designated as a target ship for live-fire testing. Rather than being scrapped immediately, the vessel was carefully prepared for its final mission. All hazardous materials were removed, and environmental safeguards were put in place to ensure compliance with international maritime and environmental regulations.
The SINKEX held on April 13, 2004, offered the U.S. Navy a valuable opportunity to test the Mk 48 Mod 6 torpedo, one of the most advanced heavyweight torpedoes in the world at the time. Fired from USS Pasadena, the torpedo represented the cutting edge of submarine warfare technology. The Mk 48 Mod 6 featured improved guidance systems, enhanced resistance to countermeasures, and a powerful high-explosive warhead designed to break the keel of large surface ships.
When the torpedo struck Ex-USS John Young, the results were decisive. Rather than merely punching a hole in the hull, the Mk 48 detonated beneath the ship, creating a massive gas bubble that lifted and fractured the vessel’s structure. This “bubble-jet effect” is specifically engineered to cause catastrophic structural failure, and in this case, it worked exactly as intended. The destroyer rapidly took on water, lost stability, and sank beneath the waves, demonstrating the devastating effectiveness of modern submarine weapons against surface combatants.
Photographs taken during the exercise, including official U.S. Navy imagery, captured the aftermath of the strike, showing the once-proud warship partially submerged before disappearing entirely. These images have since become widely referenced in discussions of naval warfare, serving as stark visual proof of the lethality of contemporary torpedo technology.
Beyond the dramatic visuals, the sinking of Ex-USS John Young carried significant training and strategic value. Data collected during the exercise helped naval engineers and tacticians better understand ship survivability, weapons performance, and the real-world effects of underwater explosions. For submarine crews, SINKEX events provide invaluable experience in target acquisition, fire control, and weapons deployment under realistic conditions.
The loss of USS John Young during SINKEX 2004 was not a tragedy, but rather a carefully planned and meaningful conclusion to a ship that had already fulfilled its duty. In its final moments, the destroyer continued to serve the Navy—not in combat, but in education, testing, and preparation for future conflicts. The exercise reinforced the enduring importance of undersea warfare and underscored the decisive advantage held by modern submarines in naval combat.
In the end, Ex-USS John Young’s sinking was a powerful reminder that even the strongest warships are ultimately temporary, while the lessons they provide can shape naval strategy for generations to come.
