Flight II offers evolution more than transformation

Flight II brought better electronic-warfare equipment and passive listening systems, a newer Aegis baseline, more computing power, improved Standard Missile compatibility, and better satellite communications. These were incremental changes to Flight I. The hull still lacked a helicopter hangar even as the high-end cruiser force envisioned alongside the Burkes failed to materialise. The criticism of the new flight designation is that it suggested a larger change in the fleet than the equipment improvements delivered. Flight IIA would make the more substantial break with the original arrangement.