What the diffrence between a cruiser and a destroyer?

Answer 1

Depends on the navy and the time frame.

The cruiser is an offshoot of the old sailing frigates. The old frigates couldn't stand in the line and battle it out with ships-of-the line (which were the predecessors of modern battleships). They were used to scout for the fleet, being faster and more manueverable, and to hunt down enemy commerce. They were used in this role for many years, and during WWII they gained the additional role as primary anti-air escorts for the fleet.

The destroyer came about after the turn of the 20th century due to the introduction of torpedos and the torpedo-boat. Torpedo-boats were considered to be a serious threat to battleships, and the torpedo-boat destroyer (or simply destroyer) was developed to screen battleships from torpedo attack. They had high speed in order to catch torpedo boats and large enough armament to outrange them. Eventually destroyers themselves mounted torpedos in order to attack the opposing battle fleet. During WWI and WWII they became the primary anti-submarine escort for the fleet, and played a prominent role as anti-air and anti-submarine escorts for merchant ship convoys.

Historically cruisers have been 3-4 times larger than destroyers, enabling them to have at least a modicum of armor protection, much higher endurance (which kept with one of their original roles in commerce hunting and protection), and making them more stable gun platforms. Their larger size also enabled their use as flagships.

Following WWII the primary role of the destroyer was for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and that of the cruiser anti-air warfare (AAW). Destroyers grew in size due to the need to provide facillities for helicopters, which became one of the primary platforms for conducting ASW. Cruisers were still usually at least twice the size of destroyers (in terms of displacement) up until the late 70s early 80s. This is around the time where the defining line between the 2 types began to blur. For example, the USN's Spruance class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers were built on the same hull, and the Ticonderogas only displaced about 1200 more tons in displacement. However, the Spruance class were clearly designed for the ASW role, with only point defence weapons for air defense, whereas the Ticonderogas electronics and weapons suite was geared toward AAW, although ASW weapons and a helicopter were also carried.

Today there are few navies that operate cruisers, as they are too large and expensive. Only the US, Russia, Italy, Peru, and the Ukraine operate cruisers. Things get really confusing in the USN as the Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers are virtually the same size and can perform the same missions, being equally competent in ASW and AAW. The Ticonderogas do have a slightly larger weapons capacity.

Modern destroyers of most navies tend to be anywhere from 4000 to 8000 tons in displacement, depending on the roles they have to perform for the fleet. Modern cruisers range anywhere from 9000 all the way up to the 24,000 ton Kirovs of Russia and the Ukraine.

Due to the size, manning requirements, and cost of cruisers modern destroyers have grown in size so that they can be affordable, multi-role ships for most nations to operate.

Answer 2

In the past, especially from WWI until after WWII, the difference was considerable. A cruiser was 4-6 times the size of a destroyer. It had several 8 inch guns and numerous smaller weapons. A light cruiser had 6 inch guns while a destroyer had a fewer number of 4 and 5 inch guns. In the age of missile ships, the destroyer has gradually grown bigger and more complex. In general, a cruiser has a larger capacity of missiles and somewhat enhanced sensors and communication gear compared to a destroyer. The newest classes of destroyers are not much smaller and have nearly the same firepower as cruisers. For political reasons, ships that may have been classified as cruisers in the past are now classified as destroyers. It is easier to get the approval from legislatures.

Answer 3

They are very similar, however here are some of the bigger differences. A Cruiser must have a Captain in command whereas a Destroyer can either have a Captain or Commander. Cruisers have two masts, a destroyer can either have one or two. If it does have two masts on the destroyer than the taller mast is the forward mast; on a cruiser the aft mast is the taller of the two. The dimensions of a destroyer allow it to be more maneuverable as a weapons platform and a cruiser can tend to out run a destroyer especially in rough seas. There may be more but that's all I can think of. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

A destroyer is in most cases an anti-sub deliver yet has a lot of punch in different parts such as anti-deliver or plane. those vessels are meant for escort duty. A cruiser in WW2 had both 6"-8" guns for anti-deliver duty. because the missile age cruisers are literally in most cases anti-plane and flag deliver for escort vessels in a job stress. An celebration must be the aegis cruiser which have very effectual radars and large hearth administration which permits them to shoot down many objectives straight away even as a destroyer can in straightforward words interact some planes straight away. the recent aegis destroyer has come far to maximum excellent this yet remains no longer as in a position because the cruiser.

Answer 5

The destroyer was mainly used to go after submarines and small boats (like the PT boats) while providing air defense for the fleet. Cruisers went after surface ships and helped take down enemy fleet defenses such as destroying destroyers, frigates and other cruisers.

Answer 6

A cruiser cruises and a destroyer destroys things like middle eastern kid here..old lady there etc etc.

Answer 7

A cruiser is a guy who just rolls around in his 1970 malibu, saying hi to the babes and relaxing with the seat wayyy back.

A destroyer is someone uptight who just has to ruin other peoples' days. They are dangerous and often throw bricks into windows, rear end people and drive away, etc. etc.

Answer 8

cruisers cruise and destroyers destroy!!

Answer 9

Size and armorment!

Answer 10

one cruises the other destroys