The USS Spruance, the US Navy warship that fired on and intercepted an Iranian cargo vessel on Sunday, is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.
US Central Command said the Spruance fired “several rounds” from its 5-inch gun into the engine room of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the M/V Touska, to disable it. US Marines then boarded the Touska and took control.
The Spruance’s 5-inch gun is designed for use against ships, aircraft and land targets, according to a Navy fact sheet.
First deployed in 1971, the Mark 45 gun has a range of 15 miles with conventional ammunition.
It’s a fully automatic…