The Lesson of the USS Fitzgerald Tragedy: U.S. Navy Warships Need More Armor?

would not have made a difference, you can't fix stupid. The Burke class ships are the best built ships in the history of sea going vessels. I served on many ships and was trained as s specialist in keeping one of these Destroyers in service as the Repair 5 locker officer supporting the DCA in damage control efforts specifically the four mainspaces, two of which are required to be saved from flooding else the ship will sink. These ships were built to fight and aside from the inaction of a few officers on the mid watch the Fighting Fitz knows how.

Making a destroyer into a heavy cruiser does not help much and nothing less that a heavy Cruiser can carry enough armor to make a difference. Destroyers are supposed to be fast and agile, and armor makes both of the impossible for practical purposes.

This collision did not "kill" the ship. Weapon systems were still operable. Communications and electronic counter measures still worked. Other ships could protect it while transiting to a repair yard. Belt armor is of no use. Best defense against a collision is a good lookout.