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 1.83 "Masters of the Sea"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea"]].
  
The ship is, along with the similarly named [[Somers (DD-381)]], the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.
+
The ship is, along with the similarly named [[USS Somers]], the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}}
 
{{main|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 calibre 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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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 40 mm cannons, however their smaller calibre 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.
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
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== 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 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 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).'' -->
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 armour, 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.
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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 armour, 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 [[USS Cowell]], having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas.
  
*'''1. Gunfighter'''
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*'''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 calibre guns, and the [[Tashkent (leader)]] which possess strong firepower. You have increased armour 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.
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The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the [[USS Fletcher]] and [[USS Cowell]]. 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 [[USS Somers]], with eight guns, the [[Z32]] which has larger calibre guns, and the [[Tashkent]] which possess strong firepower. You have increased armour 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'''
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*'''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 defence 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.
 
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 defence 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'''
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*'''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.
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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 single-shot knock out, 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:'''
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'''Enemies worth noting:'''
  
* [[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 armour than it so you can take a bit more of a punch.
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* [[USS Somers]]: 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 armour 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.
 
* [[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
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* [[Pe-8]]: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5,000 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.
+
* [[Z32]]: 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 armour 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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* [[SKR-1]] and [[SKR-7]]: 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. 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 armour 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.
+
* Light cruisers: They will generally have superior firepower and armour 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.
+
* 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.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced)
+
* Quick rate of fire (2.8 seconds aced)
 
* Powerful primary armament
 
* Powerful primary armament
 
* Great AA
 
* Great AA
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* Dual turrets are an easy target
 
* Dual turrets are an easy target
 
* Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's
 
* Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's
* High repair cost
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_destroyer_sumner Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
* [[Somers (DD-381)]]
+
 
* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]
+
* [[USS Somers]]
* [[Tashkent (leader)]]
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* [[Z32]]
 +
* [[Tashkent]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the ship;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
 
* [[wikipedia:Allen_M._Sumner-class_destroyer|[Wikipedia] Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer]]
 
* [[wikipedia:Allen_M._Sumner-class_destroyer|[Wikipedia] Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer]]
  
 
{{ShipManufacturer Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.}}
 
{{ShipManufacturer Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.}}
 
{{USA destroyers}}
 
{{USA destroyers}}

Revision as of 06:48, 16 October 2022

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
us_destroyer_sumner.png
GarageImage USS Sumner.jpg
USS Sumner
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

The Allan 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 1.83 "Masters of the Sea".

The ship is, along with the similarly named USS Somers, the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Main fire tower3 / 3 / 3 mm
Hull16 mm (steel)
Superstructure4 mm (steel)
Number of section7
Displacement3 218 t
Crew345 people

The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant armour. Encased in 19 mm of anti-fragmentation hull armour and 13 mm of anti-fragmentation deck armour, the Sumner's armour won't stop any shells fired by destroyers, let alone larger ships. The light armour will serve the Sumner as protection from smaller calibre machine guns rounds as well as some splash damage from HE shells. A major flaw in its armour, however, is found in the very weak armour of its primary 12.7 cm mounts. Anything larger than a .50 calibre 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 armour with 19 mm thickness.
  • The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB77 / 31 km/h
RB63 / 25 km/h

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 manoeuvrability, which comes in especially useful when dodging torpedoes and enemy fire.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 77 31
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 63 25

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB883 → 1 147 Sl icon.png
RB1 353 → 1 758 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications6 950 Rp icon.png
6 730 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost530 Ge icon.png
Crew training3 000 Sl icon.png
Experts10 000 Sl icon.png
Aces125 Ge icon.png
Research Aces160 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
80 / 200 / 100 % Sl icon.png
112 / 112 / 112 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
270 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
440 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
270 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
440 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
440 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
127mm_usa_mk32_common_sap_ammo_pack
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
270 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
40 mm HE clips
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
270 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
270 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
127mm_usa_mk46_special_common_sap_ammo_pack
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
40 mm AP clips
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
260 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag proxi fuze ship.png
127mm_usa_mk31_aavt_radio_fuse_ammo_pack
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
290 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods ship mortar.png
Bomb mortar
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
440 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
440 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

3 х Turret2 x 5 inch/38 Mk.12 cannon, mount Mk.38
Ammunition720 rounds
Vertical guidance-15° / 85°

The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of 6 x 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.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
AAC Mk.34 HE 36 36 36 36 36 36
Common Mk.32 Common 124 103 77 58 46 37
SP Common Mk.46 SP Common 150 125 93 71 56 45
AAVT Mk.31 HE-VT 36 36 36 36 36 36
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AAC Mk.34 HE 792 25 0 0.1 3,220 79° 80° 81°
Common Mk.32 Common 792 24.49 0.01 6 1,150 47° 60° 65°
SP Common Mk.46 SP Common 792 25 0.01 6 906.5 48° 63° 71°
Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming distance
(m)
Trigger radius
(m)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AAVT Mk.31 HE-VT 792 25 0 0.1 457 23 3,220 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

2 х Turret2 x 40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 1 gun
Ammunition4000 rounds
Belt capacity4 rounds
Fire rate156 shots/min
2 х Turret4 x 40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 2 gun
Ammunition8000 rounds
Belt capacity4 rounds
Fire rate156 shots/min

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

10 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II autocannon
Ammunition1800 rounds
Belt capacity60 rounds
Fire rate450 shots/min

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 40 mm cannons, however their smaller calibre 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.

Additional armament

Setup 110 x 533 mm steam turbined Mk.15 torpedo
Setup 230 x Mk.6 mortar depth charge
Setup 310 x 533 mm steam turbined Mk.15 torpedo
6 x Mk.6 mortar depth charge

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.

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 armour, 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 USS Cowell, having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas.

  • Gunfighter

The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the USS Fletcher and USS Cowell. 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 USS Somers, with eight guns, the Z32 which has larger calibre guns, and the Tashkent which possess strong firepower. You have increased armour 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.

  • 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 defence 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.

  • 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 single-shot knock out, 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.

Enemies worth noting:

  • USS Somers: 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 armour 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 5,000 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
  • Z32: 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.
  • SKR-1 and SKR-7: 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. Their guns have less range than yours, so long-range engagements will give you the edge.
  • Light cruisers: They will generally have superior firepower and armour 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.

Pros and cons

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

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

Skins

See also

External links


Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company
Gun Destroyers (DD) 
Somers-class  USS Somers
Fletcher-class  USS Fletcher
Allen M. Sumner-class  USS Sumner
Gearing-class  USS Gearing
Cruiser, Light (CL) 
Atlanta-class  USS Atlanta

USA destroyers
Clemson-class  USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Barker · USS Litchfield
Farragut-class  USS Aylwin
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