The Sims class began as an attempt to produce the best destroyer the United States could build. Its designers placed too many new ideas and too large a capability jump into one hull, then spent the design process retreating from those ambitions. That distinguishes Sims from merely mediocre destroyer leaders, because its effort to become a superior, Tribal-like fleet destroyer obstructed the intended result. The class fits the video's test of design choices undermining the role they were meant to improve.
Chapter · 2:17:23-2:25:31
The Sims class tried to advance too many destroyer features at once
Sims is presented as the U.S. Navy's clearest example of an ambitious destroyer concept that had to be repeatedly walked back.