Difference between revisions of "USS Sumner"

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The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a rank {{specs|rank}} American destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] as part of the fleet closed beta test.
 
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a rank {{specs|rank}} American destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] as part of the fleet closed beta test.
  
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The ship is, along with the similar names [[Somers (DD-381)]], the ultimate destroyer ship in the American tree.
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The ship is, along with the similarly named [[Somers (DD-381)]], the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
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The USS Sumner has very little but still significant armour. Encased in 19 mm of antifragmentation hull armour and 13 mm of antifragmentation deck armour, the USS Sumner's armour won't stop any destroyer or larger calibre guns armed with AP or HE with a Base fuse. What the minor amount of armour can do is stopping machine gun fire from PT boats and near hit splash damage. However, the major weak point of this ship is the paper thin armour on the dual gun turrets. Anything from 50 calibre machine guns to what seems like a stiff breeze can and will knock out 1/3 of the ship's offensive armament. Understandably, once this ship is targeted by more than one other destroyer, the USS Sumner is quick to sink.
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The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant armor. Encased in 19 mm of anti-fragmentation hull armor and 13 mm of anti-fragmentation deck armor, the Sumner's armor won't stop any shells fired by destroyers, let alone larger ships. The light armor will serve the Sumner as protection from smaller caliber machine guns rounds as well as some splash damage from HE shells. A major flaw in its armor, however, is found in the very weak armor of its primary 12.7 cm mounts. Anything larger than a .50 caliber machine gun can and will knock out the Sumner's turrets, this means that when facing against multiple targets, the Sumner can very quickly be put out of action.
  
 
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'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
  
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* The radar atop the bridge is covered with an antifragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness.
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* The radar atop the bridge is covered with an anti-fragmentation armor with 19 mm thickness.
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* Gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.
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* The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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The USS Sumner's vastly increased firepower compared to previous destroyers come at yet more cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships could appear to have flanked this ship with their much faster max speeds. However, the USS Sumner gains one additional rudder over previous US destroyers, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater manoeuvrability. This is especially noticeable in dodging torpedoes.  
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The Sumner's increased firepower compared to the previous destroyers come at a cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships are able to flank the ship with their superior top speeds. The Sumner however, is fitted with an additional rudder over the previous destroyers on the tree, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater maneuverability, which comes in especially useful when dodging torpedoes and enemy fire.  
  
 
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==Armament==
 
==Armament==
 
===Primary armament===
 
===Primary armament===
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''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>.''
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{{main|5/38 Mark 12 Dual Purpose (127 mm)}}
  
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''Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
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The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of  six five inch (12.7 cm) 5/38 Mk.12 Dual Purpose cannons, mounted in three dual turrets. Turrets 1 and 2 fore and turret 3 aft of the ship. Although these are the same excellent guns as on previous Farragut and Fletcher-classes, the new dual turrets allow for very quick reloading as well as making concentrating your fire a bit easier. The guns' HE shells perform excellently against other destroyers, however they will struggle against most cruisers, most notably in engagements over longer distances, even with AP. These guns when paired with a good crew and the HE-VT shells can make for very decent longer range AA support.
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{{main|5/38 Mark 12 Dual Purpose (127 mm)}}
 
  
 
===Secondary armament===
 
===Secondary armament===
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''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armament and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section.''
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{{main|Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)|Bofors L/60 Mark 2 (40 mm)}}
  
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''If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''
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The Sumner is fitted with an excellent secondary armament of a total of twelve 40 mm cannons. Eight Bofors L/60 Mark 2 in two quad mounts, and four Bofors L/60 Mark 1 in two dual mounts. This is an incredible amount of guns, topping even the AA heavy USS Cowell premium destroyer. Regardless of your crew level, these guns are great for almost every engagement the Sumner might find itself in. They work great to shoot down aircraft, whittle down enemy crews in close quarters, and to keep enemy PT boats a safe distance away from you. Be sure to manage what targets you want the 40 mm cannons to be shooting at to be as efficient as possible.
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{{main|Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)|Bofors L/60 Mark 2 (40 mm)}}
 
  
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
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''An important part of the ship’s armament responsible for air raid defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship’s anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets.''
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{{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}}
  
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''If there is no anti-aircraft artillery, remove this section.''
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The Sumner's anti-aircraft armament consists of ten single mounted Oerlikon Mk.II 20 mm cannons.  This number once again tops the USS Cowell with its seven 20 mm cannons. Much like the rest of the Sumner's armament, the 20 mm cannons are very versatile, multi-purpose weapons. They play a very similar role to the Bofors 40mm cannons, however their smaller caliber means that in most situations it should remain as anti-aircraft armament, and leave the anti-smaller ship duties to the Bofors cannons. These are very standard and very good 20 mm cannons found on most American destroyers.
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{{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}}
 
  
 
=== Torpedo armament ===
 
=== Torpedo armament ===
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''Many ships are armed with torpedo launchers, and for some vessels such as boats, torpedoes are an extremely important means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc.''
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{{main|Mk.15}}
  
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''If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.''
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The torpedo armament on the Sumner should be one that most, if not all US sailors should be familiar with at this point, since the torpedoes themselves are found on all but one of the US destroyers. The Sumner carries ten Mk.15 533 mm torpedoes, which are found in two mounts of five tubes each. One of these mounts is found in the very middle of the ship, and the second one can be found further aft, near turret 3. The torpedoes are not a greatly important part of the Sumner's kit, being more of something that's simply nice to have as opposed to being something necessary. The Mk.15 torpedoes are nothing to particularly write home about, especially when compared to other torpedoes like the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" which boast both superior range and speed. Torpedoes are always nice to have however, and will come in very handy for sinking enemy cargo ships and convoys, or they can be spammed out in stressful extreme close quarters or last ditch situations.
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{{main|Mk.15}}
 
  
 
=== Special armament ===
 
=== Special armament ===
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''Depth charges, mines, rocket launchers and missiles are also effective in skilled hands and can be an unexpected surprise for an opponent. Evaluate the ammunition of this type of armament and rate its performance in combat.''
 
 
{{main|Mk.6 mortar depth charge}}
 
{{main|Mk.6 mortar depth charge}}
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The Sumner can carry depth charges in the form of the Mk.6 mortar depth charge. The depth charges shoot off the side of the ship, but they are not particularly useful for anything. You might get the occasional rare depth charge kill on an unlucky PT boat, but you are probably better off not taking the depth charges and save the little bit of money that it would have cost you to replenish them.
  
 
==Usage in battles==
 
==Usage in battles==
 
<!--''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don’t get try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 
<!--''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don’t get try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
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The U.S.S. Sumner is one of the most powerful and versatile destroyers in the game. Equipped with plentiful anti-air armament, strong main guns, and belt armour, it is capable of taking on many roles in combat. The Sumner functions similarly to the [[Cowell (DD-547)]], each can perform the same roles, but the Sumner has some differences that can make it better or worse in some roles.
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The USS Allen M. Sumner is one of, if not the most powerful and versatile destroyer in the game. The Sumner with its powerful main armament, ample anti-air capabilities and even some armor, can win almost any one on one engagement against enemy destroyers, as well as being capable of taking on support roles for its team. The Sumner is an extremely useful ship, functioning like a superior version of the [[Cowell (DD-547)]], having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas.
  
 
*'''1. Gunfighter'''
 
*'''1. Gunfighter'''
  
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The Sumner is equipped with one more gun than the [[Fletcher (DD-445)]] and [[Cowell (DD-547)]]. While this might not seem a lot, there is a big difference: The guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping '''four''', allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner also fires faster than the Fletcher or Cowell, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher and Cowell's 3.7 seconds. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat is relatively similar to the Fletchers. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a [[Somers (DD-381)]], which has 2 more guns than you, the [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] which has larger caliber guns, and the [[Tashkent (leader)]] which possess strong firepower. You gain increased armour protection compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers which will help you in absorbing damage. However, a tradeoff of having your guns set up as 3x2 instead of 5x1 means that when a turret is knocked out, you will lose a third of your firepower which is pretty significant. This is even more dangerous than the fact that your turrets are huge and are easy to take out. Nonetheless, Sumner is a potent ship when it comes to gunfighting.
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The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the [[Fletcher (DD-445)]] and [[Cowell (DD-547)]]. While this might not seem a lot, there is a key difference: the guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping '''four''', allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner's guns also fire faster than the Fletcher-classes, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher-classes' 3.7 seconds, giving them just another advantage. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat plays out rather similarly to when playing the Fletcher-class ships. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a [[Somers (DD-381)]], with eight guns, the [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] which has larger caliber guns, and the [[Tashkent (leader)]] which possess strong firepower. You have increased armor protection compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers which will help you to take a few more hits. However, as a trade-off, losing a turret that houses two guns is a much more significant loss. This is even more dangerous than the fact that your turrets are huge and are easy to take out. Nonetheless, the Sumner is a potent ship when it comes to gun fighting.
  
 
*'''2. Anti Air Ship'''
 
*'''2. Anti Air Ship'''
  
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The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, has extensive anti-air armament and makes a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse shells, and with the better shell groupings and faster firing rate compared to the Cowell, your long-range anti-air potential is even larger. The Sumner is equipped with 2 more Bofors than the Cowell (2x4 and 2x2 for a total of 12 compared to 5x2 for a total of 10). This means you can easily deal with aircraft at medium and close range, and also gives you the ability to rip apart smaller boats. However, these anti-air guns have worse firing arcs than that of the Cowell (The Cowell can fire four of it's Bofors directly forward, while the Sumner cannot) but nonetheless, you are a potent anti-air ship. It is also equipped with 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, which is 3 more than the Cowell. These will provide you with decent short-range protection. As always, lead your targets when commanding your anti-air and make sure to switch between your main battery for long-range (or leave them on AI) and smaller guns for short-range.
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The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, is filled to the brim with anti-aircraft armament making it a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse HE-VT shells, that when combined with the good shell grouping as well as its fast rate of fire, makes for incredible air defense potential. The Sumner's many 40 mm Bofors cannons mean that you can easily deal with aircraft at medium and close ranges. The firing arcs on the Sumner are slightly inferior to the Cowell's as they cannot fire directly towards the bow, although this isn't a major drawback for the incredible capabilities of the ship. It is also equipped with 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons which will provide decent short-range protection. As always, lead your targets when commanding your anti-air and make sure to switch between your main battery for long-range and smaller guns for short-range engagements.
  
 
*'''3. Light Craft Hunter'''
 
*'''3. Light Craft Hunter'''
  
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The Bofors of the Sumner makes for an extremely effective weapons system to deal with enemy patrol boats and gunboats. They will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, and even some of the older destroyers will be vulnerable to the sheer volume of fire they can dish out. At longer distances, load HE or Radio Fuse shells to deal with patrol boats and gunboats. Once you close into about 3 kilometres, begin firing your Bofors cannons instead. If you have good aim, they will take out even the toughest of patrol boats and gunboats within a few seconds. You can also use your main battery to one-shot patrol boats instead if you are a good shot. Try to avoid using your 20 mm Oerlikon cannons manually though as they do not have the range to deal with ships unlike the Bofors and main guns. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors directly forward as part of your superstructure blocks the way. To combat this, turn slightly to one side and that will allow them to fire, however you can only fire off one of the 2 turrets on the front of the ship. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to take part. Be on the lookout for any patrol boats that might sneak up on you, however. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if one gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, take evasive action to dodge any torpedoes and keep an eye out on the water in the general direction to see if they have launched any torpedoes, and react accordingly.  
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The Bofors cannons on the Sumner make for an extremely effective system to deal with smaller enemy vessels. The cannons will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, as well as some of the older destroyers like the Clemson and Mutsuki if they ever have the misfortune of coming across you. Get your crew to a point where they are good with the secondary armaments of the ship. When engaging small, fast boats, designate the target for your gunners and if you have no other immediate threats open fire on them with your main guns. A direct hit will be a one-shot kill, but even the splash damage can deal important damage to modules. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors mounts directly towards the bow as the ship's superstructure blocks the way. To deal with this, turn slightly to one side so that one side so that that side's mount can fire at them, sadly you won't be able to train both mounts on a single target. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to open fire. Always keep your head on a swivel when in patrol boat territory and never let them sneak up on you. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if a PT boat gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, turn in whichever direction you can, and keep your eyes on the water until you see the torpedoes.  
  
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There are some threats to the Sumner, which include:
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'''Some of the greatest threats to the Sumner include:'''
  
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* [[Somers (DD-381)]]: This destroyer has the same guns like you, but is equipped with another turret. This means that it will most likely beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more armour than it does and you can take more of a punch.
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* [[Somers (DD-381)]]: This destroyer has your guns, but with an extra turret for a total of eight guns. This means that if you aren't careful it cant beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more armor than it so you can take a bit more of a punch.
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* [[BTD-1]]: Despite your strong AA power, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, each of which can be lethal to you. Prioritize these bombers as they can be some of the strongest aircraft in Naval combat.
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* [[BTD-1]]: Despite your potent AA, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, all of them lethal. Prioritize these bombers and always keep your eyes peeled for torpedoes, even after you've gotten the kill on the plane.
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* [[Pe-8]]: These bombers often stay at high altitude and are equipped with 5,000 kg bombs. These bombs are guaranteed to kill you and it doesn't even need a near miss to cripple or even destroy your ship. Deal with these bombers with Radio-Fuse shells as they have the range to hit them at high altitudes.
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* [[Pe-8]]: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5000 kg bomb. Keep an eye out for them and use the HE-VT on your main guns to take them out. Call them out for your team if you want, as they might be able to help
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* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]: This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It is also better to fight them at closer range as their larger guns give them more advantage at longer distances.
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* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]: This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It might be best to avoid long range fights with these, as you can shred them when close up.
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* [[Pr. 159]] and [[Pr. 35]]: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack armour protection so if you have good aim you will be able to destroy them with ease. Also, try to fight them at longer distances since you have larger guns. They also don't possess much secondary armament so you can attack them when they are distracted.
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* [[Pr. 159]] and [[Pr. 35]]: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack armor protection so if you have good aim you will be able to destroy them with ease. Their guns have less range than yours, so long-range engagements will give you the edge.
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* Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and armour than you. Never fight a cruiser one-on-one, especially at long range. However, your guns can still deal decent damage to them should you gain the opportunity. You should only engage cruisers directly if you are in a group of ships attacking the cruiser or if the cruiser is preoccupied engaging with a friendly cruiser. Be aware of any secondary armament they might have.
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* Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and armor than you. Never fight a cruiser one-on-one, especially at long range. Don't give though, your guns can still deal decent damage to them should you gain the opportunity. You should only engage cruisers directly if you are in a group of ships attacking the cruiser or if the cruiser is preoccupied engaging with a friendly cruiser. Be aware of any secondary armament they might have.
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* PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes. Even weaker PT-boats such as the [[LS 3]] and [[G-5]] can pose a threat as they move fast and are hard to hit.
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* PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes.
  
 
===Modules===
 
===Modules===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
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* Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds Aced)
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* Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced)
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* Powerful main armaments
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* Powerful primary armament
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* Great AA defence (12 x 40 mm cannons and 10 x 20 mm cannons)
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* Great AA
 
* Large crew size
 
* Large crew size
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* Good armour for a destroyer  
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* Good armor for a destroyer  
 
* Turrets can traverse 360 degrees  
 
* Turrets can traverse 360 degrees  
  
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* Dual turrets are an easy target
 
* Dual turrets are an easy target
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* Expensive repair costs
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* Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's
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* High repair cost
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.-->
 
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.-->
  
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The Sumner class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher Class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship.
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The Allen M. Sumner-class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher-class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40 mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40 mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20 mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship.
  
 
Majority of the class would find service in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1945 serving as a fleet escort. Several in the class would serve as radar picket ships during and after the Battle of Okinawa.
 
Majority of the class would find service in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1945 serving as a fleet escort. Several in the class would serve as radar picket ships during and after the Battle of Okinawa.
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
  
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* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
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* [[Somers (DD-381)]]
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
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* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]
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* [[Tashkent (leader)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
  
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* [[wikipedia:Allen_M._Sumner-class_destroyer|Wikipedia Page for the Allen M. Sumner-class]]
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* ''encyclopedia page on ship;''
 
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* ''other literature.''
 
  
 
{{USA destroyers}}
 
{{USA destroyers}}

Revision as of 05:00, 3 February 2020

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
USS Sumner
us_destroyer_sumner.png
USS Sumner
USA flag.png USA
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.7 4.7 4.7
Class:
Research:7 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:10 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage USS Sumner.jpg


The Allen M. Sumner-class, USS Sumner (DD-692), 1944 is a rank II American destroyer with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X" as part of the fleet closed beta test.

The ship is, along with the similarly named Somers (DD-381), the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.

General info

Survivability and armour

The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant armor. Encased in 19 mm of anti-fragmentation hull armor and 13 mm of anti-fragmentation deck armor, the Sumner's armor won't stop any shells fired by destroyers, let alone larger ships. The light armor will serve the Sumner as protection from smaller caliber machine guns rounds as well as some splash damage from HE shells. A major flaw in its armor, however, is found in the very weak armor of its primary 12.7 cm mounts. Anything larger than a .50 caliber machine gun can and will knock out the Sumner's turrets, this means that when facing against multiple targets, the Sumner can very quickly be put out of action.

Armour Bow (Slope angle) Sides Stern Deck
Hull N/A 19 mm (0-19°) N/A 13 mm (88-89°)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Turrets 6 mm 6 mm 6 mm 6 mm

Notes:

  • The radar atop the bridge is covered with an anti-fragmentation armor with 19 mm thickness.
  • The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.

Mobility

The Sumner's increased firepower compared to the previous destroyers come at a cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships are able to flank the ship with their superior top speeds. The Sumner however, is fitted with an additional rudder over the previous destroyers on the tree, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater maneuverability, which comes in especially useful when dodging torpedoes and enemy fire.

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons)
3,218
Max Speed (km/h)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 54 73
Realistic/Simulator 54 63

Armament

Primary armament

Main article: 5/38 Mark 12 Dual Purpose (127 mm)

The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of six five inch (12.7 cm) 5/38 Mk.12 Dual Purpose cannons, mounted in three dual turrets. Turrets 1 and 2 fore and turret 3 aft of the ship. Although these are the same excellent guns as on previous Farragut and Fletcher-classes, the new dual turrets allow for very quick reloading as well as making concentrating your fire a bit easier. The guns' HE shells perform excellently against other destroyers, however they will struggle against most cruisers, most notably in engagements over longer distances, even with AP. These guns when paired with a good crew and the HE-VT shells can make for very decent longer range AA support.

Secondary armament

Main articles: Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm), Bofors L/60 Mark 2 (40 mm)

The Sumner is fitted with an excellent secondary armament of a total of twelve 40 mm cannons. Eight Bofors L/60 Mark 2 in two quad mounts, and four Bofors L/60 Mark 1 in two dual mounts. This is an incredible amount of guns, topping even the AA heavy USS Cowell premium destroyer. Regardless of your crew level, these guns are great for almost every engagement the Sumner might find itself in. They work great to shoot down aircraft, whittle down enemy crews in close quarters, and to keep enemy PT boats a safe distance away from you. Be sure to manage what targets you want the 40 mm cannons to be shooting at to be as efficient as possible.

Anti-aircraft armament

Main article: Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)

The Sumner's anti-aircraft armament consists of ten single mounted Oerlikon Mk.II 20 mm cannons. This number once again tops the USS Cowell with its seven 20 mm cannons. Much like the rest of the Sumner's armament, the 20 mm cannons are very versatile, multi-purpose weapons. They play a very similar role to the Bofors 40mm cannons, however their smaller caliber means that in most situations it should remain as anti-aircraft armament, and leave the anti-smaller ship duties to the Bofors cannons. These are very standard and very good 20 mm cannons found on most American destroyers.

Torpedo armament

Main article: Mk.15

The torpedo armament on the Sumner should be one that most, if not all US sailors should be familiar with at this point, since the torpedoes themselves are found on all but one of the US destroyers. The Sumner carries ten Mk.15 533 mm torpedoes, which are found in two mounts of five tubes each. One of these mounts is found in the very middle of the ship, and the second one can be found further aft, near turret 3. The torpedoes are not a greatly important part of the Sumner's kit, being more of something that's simply nice to have as opposed to being something necessary. The Mk.15 torpedoes are nothing to particularly write home about, especially when compared to other torpedoes like the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" which boast both superior range and speed. Torpedoes are always nice to have however, and will come in very handy for sinking enemy cargo ships and convoys, or they can be spammed out in stressful extreme close quarters or last ditch situations.

Special armament

Main article: Mk.6 mortar depth charge

The Sumner can carry depth charges in the form of the Mk.6 mortar depth charge. The depth charges shoot off the side of the ship, but they are not particularly useful for anything. You might get the occasional rare depth charge kill on an unlucky PT boat, but you are probably better off not taking the depth charges and save the little bit of money that it would have cost you to replenish them.

Usage in battles

The USS Allen M. Sumner is one of, if not the most powerful and versatile destroyer in the game. The Sumner with its powerful main armament, ample anti-air capabilities and even some armor, can win almost any one on one engagement against enemy destroyers, as well as being capable of taking on support roles for its team. The Sumner is an extremely useful ship, functioning like a superior version of the Cowell (DD-547), having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas.

  • 1. Gunfighter

The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the Fletcher (DD-445) and Cowell (DD-547). While this might not seem a lot, there is a key difference: the guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping four, allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner's guns also fire faster than the Fletcher-classes, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher-classes' 3.7 seconds, giving them just another advantage. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat plays out rather similarly to when playing the Fletcher-class ships. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a Somers (DD-381), with eight guns, the Type 1936A (Mob) which has larger caliber guns, and the Tashkent (leader) which possess strong firepower. You have increased armor protection compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers which will help you to take a few more hits. However, as a trade-off, losing a turret that houses two guns is a much more significant loss. This is even more dangerous than the fact that your turrets are huge and are easy to take out. Nonetheless, the Sumner is a potent ship when it comes to gun fighting.

  • 2. Anti Air Ship

The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, is filled to the brim with anti-aircraft armament making it a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse HE-VT shells, that when combined with the good shell grouping as well as its fast rate of fire, makes for incredible air defense potential. The Sumner's many 40 mm Bofors cannons mean that you can easily deal with aircraft at medium and close ranges. The firing arcs on the Sumner are slightly inferior to the Cowell's as they cannot fire directly towards the bow, although this isn't a major drawback for the incredible capabilities of the ship. It is also equipped with 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons which will provide decent short-range protection. As always, lead your targets when commanding your anti-air and make sure to switch between your main battery for long-range and smaller guns for short-range engagements.

  • 3. Light Craft Hunter

The Bofors cannons on the Sumner make for an extremely effective system to deal with smaller enemy vessels. The cannons will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, as well as some of the older destroyers like the Clemson and Mutsuki if they ever have the misfortune of coming across you. Get your crew to a point where they are good with the secondary armaments of the ship. When engaging small, fast boats, designate the target for your gunners and if you have no other immediate threats open fire on them with your main guns. A direct hit will be a one-shot kill, but even the splash damage can deal important damage to modules. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors mounts directly towards the bow as the ship's superstructure blocks the way. To deal with this, turn slightly to one side so that one side so that that side's mount can fire at them, sadly you won't be able to train both mounts on a single target. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to open fire. Always keep your head on a swivel when in patrol boat territory and never let them sneak up on you. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if a PT boat gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, turn in whichever direction you can, and keep your eyes on the water until you see the torpedoes.

Some of the greatest threats to the Sumner include:

  • Somers (DD-381): This destroyer has your guns, but with an extra turret for a total of eight guns. This means that if you aren't careful it cant beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more armor than it so you can take a bit more of a punch.
  • BTD-1: Despite your potent AA, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, all of them lethal. Prioritize these bombers and always keep your eyes peeled for torpedoes, even after you've gotten the kill on the plane.
  • Pe-8: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5000 kg bomb. Keep an eye out for them and use the HE-VT on your main guns to take them out. Call them out for your team if you want, as they might be able to help
  • Type 1936A (Mob): This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It might be best to avoid long range fights with these, as you can shred them when close up.
  • Pr. 159 and Pr. 35: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack armor protection so if you have good aim you will be able to destroy them with ease. Their guns have less range than yours, so long-range engagements will give you the edge.
  • Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and armor than you. Never fight a cruiser one-on-one, especially at long range. Don't give though, your guns can still deal decent damage to them should you gain the opportunity. You should only engage cruisers directly if you are in a group of ships attacking the cruiser or if the cruiser is preoccupied engaging with a friendly cruiser. Be aware of any secondary armament they might have.
  • PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes.

Modules

Tier Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
I Dry-Docking Tool Set 127 mm Common Mk.32 40 mm HE clips Anti-Air Armament Targeting
II Rudder Replacement Fire Protection System Smokescreen 40 mm AP clips Auxiliary Armament Targeting
III Propeller Replacement Ventilation Shrapnel Protection 127 mm AAVT Mk.31 Improved Rangefinder Primary Armament Targeting
IV Engine Maintenance New Pumps Ammo Wetting Bomb mortar Torpedo Mode

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced)
  • Powerful primary armament
  • Great AA
  • Large crew size
  • Good armor for a destroyer
  • Turrets can traverse 360 degrees

Cons:

  • Dual turrets are an easy target
  • Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's
  • High repair cost

History

The Allen M. Sumner-class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher-class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40 mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40 mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20 mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship.

Majority of the class would find service in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1945 serving as a fleet escort. Several in the class would serve as radar picket ships during and after the Battle of Okinawa.

Post War service saw many ships undergoing significant upgrades with the last of the class decommissioned from US Navy service on December 15, 1973.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:


USA destroyers
Clemson-class  USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Barker · USS Litchfield
Farragut-class  USS Aylwin
Bagley-class  USS Bagley
Porter-class  USS Porter · USS Phelps · USS Moffett
Somers-class  USS Somers · USS Davis
Fletcher-class  USS Fletcher · USS Bennion · USS Cowell
Allen M. Sumner-class  USS Sumner
Gearing-class  USS Gearing · USS Frank Knox
Mitscher-class  USS Mitscher · USS Wilkinson

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