[14] As an Arleigh Burke-class ship, Ralph Johnson's roles included anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare, as well as strike operations.

[15] Ralph Johnson is a Flight IIA ship, and as such, features several improvements in terms of ballistic missile defence, an embarked air wing, and the inclusion of mine-detecting ability.

[6] In 2008, the U.S. Navy decided to restart production of the Arleigh Burke class as orders for the Zumwalt-class destroyer was reduced from ten to three.

[18] As a "restart" ship, Ralph Johnson primarily features upgraded electronics; she was originally scheduled to be delivered in August 2016,[18] but construction was delayed and delivery was rescheduled for late 2017 after sea trials were completed in the middle of the year.

[21] On 4 September 2023, Ralph Johnson conducted a bilateral sail with BRP Jose Rizal of the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea.