If implemented in the same fashion as the PT boat, which was my intent, then yes; the AA would operate the same as the PT's guns (or a bomber's). That actually makes a pretty formidable hail of fire against a single attacker (or two attackers if you take aboard another player to gun with you). It would be much tougher than a PT boat (just as a Tiger is tougher than an M3), as the damage it can absorb is much greater. Like the PT or any other aircraft, the damage model could be defined to allow any individual gun to be destroyed. Engines or rudders could also be individually damage-able. Remember too that one reason the DD's are so easy to take out is that they don't maneuver like a real DD can, but are tied to the TG. With direct helm and speed control, they could take more aggressive evasive maneuvers. Perking them would keep them from getting completely out of hand, destroying game play and frame rates simultaneously.
Good idea on the perk there Sabre - they would need to be to keep them from seeing a DOZEN destroyers up to attack an approaching CV
...though a battle of a dozen destroyers attacking another dozen destroyers would be kinda of epic...
