Black

0.6.9.1.1

Black

Destroyer | U.S.A. | Tier IX

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points17 100

Aircraft

Main Battery

127 mm/38 Mk30 mod. 05 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire17.96 shots/min.

Reload Time3.34 sec.

Rotation Speed34 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time5.29 sec.

Firing Range12.85 km.

Maximum Dispersion111 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Mk32

Maximum HE Shell Damage1800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity792 m./s.

HE Shell Weight24.5 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP/SC Mk38

Maximum AP Shell Damage2100

Initial AP Shell Velocity792 m./s.

AP Shell Weight25 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Mk152 х 5 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.63 shots/min.

Reload Time96 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoMk29

Maximum Damage21 600

Torpedo Speed43 knot

Torpedo Range13.71 km.

AA Defense

127 mm/38 Mk30 mod. 05 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second53.5

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

40 mm Bofors Mk13 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second33.9

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Oerlikon Mk47 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second25.2

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

20 mm Oerlikon Mk202 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second12.2

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed35 knot

Turning Circle Radius560 m.

Rudder Shift Time3 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.38 km.

Air Detectability Range4.05 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

0.6.9.1.1

Black

Destroyer | U.S.A. | Tier IX

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points17 100

Aircraft

Main Battery

127 mm/38 Mk30 mod. 05 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire17.96 shots/min.

Reload Time3.34 sec.

Rotation Speed34 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time5.29 sec.

Firing Range12.85 km.

Maximum Dispersion111 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Mk32

Maximum HE Shell Damage1800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity792 m./s.

HE Shell Weight24.5 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP/SC Mk38

Maximum AP Shell Damage2100

Initial AP Shell Velocity792 m./s.

AP Shell Weight25 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Mk152 х 5 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.63 shots/min.

Reload Time96 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoMk29

Maximum Damage21 600

Torpedo Speed43 knot

Torpedo Range13.71 km.

AA Defense

127 mm/38 Mk30 mod. 05 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second53.5

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

40 mm Bofors Mk13 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second33.9

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Oerlikon Mk47 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second25.2

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

20 mm Oerlikon Mk202 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second12.2

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed35 knot

Turning Circle Radius560 m.

Rudder Shift Time3 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.38 km.

Air Detectability Range4.05 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

IX

promo

Black — American promo premium Tier IX destroyer.

One of the numerous and very successful Fletcher-class destroyers which boasted a sufficiently high speed, powerful dual-purpose artillery, efficient AA defenses, and decent torpedo armament.

Black is only available by reaching Rank 1 in five (5) separate seasons of Ranked Battles.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
127 mm/38 Mk.12 en una montura Mk.30 mod.0	18	5,3	111	1800	5	2100		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Black	17 100	6	20	5		7/2/3/5	2			0	0

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mk29	0,6	96	7,2	21 600	43	13,7		0	0

	Firing Range Increase (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mk9 mod. 1		0		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsión: 60 000 CV	35		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5
Slot 6

Player Opinion

Performance

Black is very similar to her tech tree counterpart Fletcher, with the main differences being her torpedoes and the availability of the Radar consumable. Black is unique among destroyers in that she can equip radar. This radar is weaker than other radars in high tier, featuring a 7.5km range and a 20 sec active time. This radar still makes Black a fearsome cap fighter, able to see through smoke to spot for her team and continue damaging enemy DD's. The other major difference is the torpedoes. Black's torpedoes feature a a 13.7km range and rated for 21600 damage, but travel at the slow speed of 43 knots. These torpedoes are more for area denial, as one cannot really lead targets with them, as they take longer to reach their max range than they do to reload.

Pros:

• Same excellent concealment as the Fletcher.
• Very fast turret rotation speed.
• Very rapid rate of fire.
• Torpedoes hit very hard, reload faster than the Fletcher's torpedoes, have more range than the Fletcher's torpedoes, and are difficult to dodge.
• Has access to either Defensive AA Fire consumable or a unique Surveillance Radar consumable.
• Unlike the Fletcher, the Black is a premium ship so captain retraining is unnecessary.

Cons:

• Same fragility as the Fletcher.
• Torpedoes are incredibly slow, slower than the Sims' infamous "sea mines".
• Slower than the Fletcher.
• Slow shell speed makes it difficult to hit targets from range.

Research

As a premium ship, Black doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of modules. ★★★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Aircraft Servicing Expert +5% to HP of carrier-based aircraft. -10% to servicing time of carrier-based aircraft.	Direction Center for Catapult Aircraft +1 catapult aircraft. -20% to the speed of catapult aircraft.	Dogfighting Expert +10% to average damage per second of fighter for each tier of difference between them. +10% to fighters ammunition.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Evasive Maneuver -20% to detectability of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. +75% to HP of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. -30% to airspeed of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★★★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm.	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen. ★	Expert Rear Gunner +10% to average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding.	Survivability Expert +350 HP for each ship tier. ★★★	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. -20% to servicing time of torpedo bombers. ★★★	Emergency Takeoff Makes it possible to launch and recover aircraft while the ship is on fire. +100% to aircraft servicing time while aircraft carrier is on fire.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to average damage per second of AA defense. ★★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★	Demolition Expert +2% to chance of fire on a target caused by a main caliber shell, secondary shell, or bomb. ★★	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament -15% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier I-VI ships. -60% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier VII-X ships.	Fire Prevention -7% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -3% to chance of fire on target caused by HE shells. ★	Air Supremacy +1 fighter per squadron. +1 bomber per squadron.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to AA defense firing range. ★	Manual Fire Control for AA Armament +100% to average damage per second of AA guns with a caliber exceeding 85mm against a designated target. ★	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship (that isn't an aircraft carrier). The enemy player is alerted that a bearing has been taken on their ship.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of destroyers. -12% to the detection radius of cruisers. -14% to the detection radius of battleships. -16% to the detection radius of aircraft carriers. ★★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Like the Tier IX USN destroyer Fletcher, Black has standard consumables of Damage Control Party, Smoke Generator, and Defensive AA Fire. But unlike Fletcher and like Missouri, it is a Tier IX USN premium ship with access to the Surveillance Radar consumable. However, this Surveillance Radar occupies the same slot as Smoke Generator and Defensive Fire consumables, only has a range of 7.5km and lasts only 20 seconds. Thus:

• Players looking to counter aerial threats are recommended to equip the Defensive Fire consumable.
• Players looking to counter and hunt down enemy destroyers are recommended to mount the Surveillance Radar consumable.

Camouflage

As a Tier IX premium ship, Black comes included with Type 10 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns. This Type 10 camouflage provides a 100% bonus to experience earned in battle, not the usual 50%.

Signals

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
November Echo Setteseven +10% average damage per second of all anti-aircraft mounts. +10% average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners. ★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	India X-Ray +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★	Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★	Victor Lima +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +4% chance of flooding (against your ship). ★★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy. ★
November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when the Repair Party consumable is used.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration.	India Yankee -20% to fire duration.	Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★★
Economic
Zulu +20% credits earned for the battle. ★	India Bravo Terrathree -10% to the cost of the ship's post-battle repair.	Equal Speed Charlie London +50% XP earned for the battle. ★★★	Zulu Hotel +50% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Papa Papa +300% Free XP earned for the battle. ★
Special
Wyvern +50% credits earned for the battle.	Red Dragon +100% XP earned for the battle. +100% Commander XP earned for the battle.	Dragon Flag +333% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Ouroboros +777% Free XP earned for the battle.	Hydra +50% XP earned for the battle. +150% Commander XP earned for the battle. +250% Free XP earned for the battle.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Gallery

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  Black launches a salvo of torpedoes while a friendly New Orleans opens fire.

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  Black doing USN DD things.

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  Black detonates a full-health Montana with one lucky torpedo hit.

Historical Info

Construction

Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company; Kearny, New Jersey

Laid down: 14 November 1942

Launched: 28 March 1943

Commissioned: 21 May 1943

Decommissioned: 5 August 1946

Recommissioned: 18 July 1951

Decommissioned: 21 September 1969

Specifications

2,050 tons displacement, standard

114.7m length

12.1m beam

4.2m draft

Machinery

4 boilers, 2 turbines

Performance

35.0 knots at 60,000 shaft horsepower

6,500 nm at 15 knots

Armament

Main

Five (5x1) 127mm guns

Torpedoes

Ten (2x5) 533mm torpedo tubes

Anti-Aircraft Guns

Four (2x2) 40mm Bofors cannons

Four (4x1) 20mm Oerlikon cannons

History

Design

As the first class of destroyers produced by a wartime United States, the Fletcher-class was seen as a logical progression from the pre-war designs. The design firm of Gibbs and Cox took their experience in designing the previous Benson and Gleaves classes and sought to rectify the deficiencies in both designs. Coming in above 1,500 tons, the previous designs failed to meet the armament requirement of five (5) 5-inch guns and ten (10) torpedo tubes; they were seen as too small and top heavy. History would prove their third creation to be a war-winner; the mettle and venerability of the Fletchers were displayed regularly during the grueling combat of the Pacific campaign in World War II.

The Fletcher-class ships were the first destroyers in the US Navy to exceed 2,000 tons displacement. In a change from previous design practice, Fletchers had flush decks as opposed to the raised forecastle design seen on the Benson class. This increased her length but decreased her freeboard and improved her handling; overall, this was considered a very structurally sound and seaworthy design. Additionally —unique to Fletcher-class ships built later in World War II (such as USS Black) — the superstructure design was altered: it was of a lower height with a flat-face and bridge, as opposed to the traditional rounded-tower design.

In order to maintain the 38 knot speed despite the increase in tonnage, new propulsion machinery was utilized: boilers that were 20-30% more efficient and turbines that were 20% more powerful than predecessors were installed. Ultimately, a third of the internal space was consumed by propulsion machinery in a unique configuration. The forward boiler and turbine room were separated from the rear boiler and engine room via watertight bulkheads. Each individual segment ran the port and starboard propulsion screws, respectively. This configuration resulted in greater machine survivability from combat damage.

As required by US Navy specifications, each Fletcher class ship was able to mount five (5) 5-inch guns in single, enclosed dual-purpose mounts; two guns forward, two guns rear, and one amidships. All turrets were controlled by Mark 37 and Mark 22 Fire Directors. Feeding information to the gun computer, the main battery could all be remotely controlled if required. Furthermore, the class got to implement SG surface radar and "Variable-Time" proximity fuses — both novelties to the Navy — that allowed effective engagement of both surface and air threats.

Learning from the experience of Pearl Harbor, the Navy decided to invest in heavier anti-aircraft armament. After seeing their effectiveness during the Spanish Civil War, the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) arranged manufacturing licences for Oerlikon 20mm and Bofors 40mm cannons. Anti-aircraft armament was constantly being changed throughout the war; the aforementioned USS Black, for instance, was armed with four (4) 20mm and four (4) 40mm AA guns for most of her time in the Pacific.

Finally, the class was able to mount ten (10) torpedoes in two quintuple-tube launchers amidships, the heaviest torpedo broadside of any US Navy destroyer at the time. By also carrying depth charge launchers in conjunction with anti-submarine sonar, Fletchers were well-equipped to conduct anti-submarine operations as well. Overall, the class was armed with a plethora of tools to combat a myriad of threats.

In the end, 175 Fletchers were produced from 11 different shipyards throughout the United States.

USS Black (DD-666) was the 138th Fletcher-class destroyer to be produced, named after Lieutenant Commander Hugh D. Black. Commander Black was killed in action as a result of the loss of USS Jacob Jones (DD-130, a Wickes-class destroyer) to a German U-boat off the New Jersey coast in 1942. With the sponsorship of Mrs. Black, Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. in Kearny, New Jersey built the namesake destroyer and launched her on 28 March 1943.

Service

Following her completion and commissioning in 1943, USS Black headed for Pearl Harbor in preparation for her deployment into the Pacific Theatre. In late 1943, she sailed for Tarawa, where she remained until January 1944. USS Black did not see combat until February 1944, when she participated in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Throughout 1944, USS Black participated in the battles of Saipan, Guam, and Leyte gulf, providing anti-air cover and assisting in shore bombardments. In late November, she returned to San Francisco for repairs. In February 1945, with her repairs complete, USS Black sailed to the Caroline Islands where she joined Task Force 58. The ship later participated in several coastal operations during the Battle of Okinawa. USS Black remained off the coast of Japan through early 1946 before again returning to the United States. The ship was decommissioned and placed in reserve in August 1946.

Historical Gallery

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  Ship's emblem of USS Black (DD-666).

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  Black underway in an unnamed Pacific harbor, May 1945.

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  Black underway during the early 1950's, probably soon after she was recommissioned in July 1951. The ship is still essentially in her late World War II configuration.

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  Black at sea (date unknown) following her mid-1950s modernization, in which she lost one 5"/38 gun mount and received three 3"/50 twin mounts.

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  Black refueling from USS Eldorado (AGC-11), 14 November 1960.

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  USS Tolovana (AO-64) refueling Black and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) in the Gulf of Tonkin, 12 September 1966.

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  Black patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin, as seen from the deck of USS Intrepid (CVA-11), circa 1966 or 1967.

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  Black at sea, circa 1968.

Ships of U.S.A.

Destroyers