Construction Spruance was built in
Bath, Maine at
Bath Iron Works, at a cost of $1 billion. Her
keel was laid down on 14 May 2009. The
bridge features touch screen controls and color readouts instead of gauges. She sailed from
San Diego on her maiden deployment on 16 October 2013, heading for Asia under the command of Commander George Kessler who was succeeded by Commander Daniel Cobian. In January 2024, the US Navy reinstalled ODIN Laser on
Spruance. ODIN, a solid-state laser system, is designed primarily to counter and neutralize the sensors on UAS, effectively blinding them without destroying the aircraft. Technical aspects of the ODIN system include its ability to emit a high-intensity laser beam, targeting the optical sensors of enemy drones. On the morning of 27 September 2024, while transiting the Red Sea with the
Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and , she was attacked by roughly two dozen missiles and drones launched by Iranian-backed
Houthi rebels in Yemen. All missiles and drones were intercepted by the flotilla or missed their target outright. On 11 November 2024, following US attacks on Houthi bases in Yemen, the Houthis again attacked the
Spruance and
Stockdale, launching eight drones, five ballistic missiles, and three cruise missiles at the American destroyers. All of the projectiles were shot down by the destroyers with no damage or casualties to the vessels. On 22 March 2025,
Spruance helped the
Coast Guard and agents with
U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehend 13 people in a vessel off the Mexican coast.
Spruance launched
Tomahawk missiles at Iranian targets during the
2026 Iran war on 28th February 2026. On 19 April 2026,
Spruance attacked the Iran-flagged cargo ship
Touska after it attempted to breach the
US naval blockade of Iran en route to
Bandar Abbas.
Spruance fired several rounds from its
5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun into the ''Touska's'' engine room, disabling the vessel. It was then seized by the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Gulf of Oman. Iran described the seizure as a
US-Iran truce violation. Iran retaliated against the seizure by launching attack drones at U.S. ships, although no damage was reported. According to
Reuters, the seized ship was probably carrying equipment that the US considered "dual-use," meaning that it had equipment that could be used by the Iranian army. File:U S Forces Disable Vessel Attempting to Enter Iranian Port, Violate Blockade (1003055).webm|USS
Spruance disables
M/V Touska File:U S Marines Board M-V Touska (1003123).webm|United States Marines leave amphibious assault ship
USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and board M/V
Touska, 19 April 2026 ==Awards==