Posted on July 7, 2016 David Sherman
The Stealth Destroyer Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is now a military owned warship. Shipbuilding firm General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has just released it to the US Navy, marking an important accomplishment for the US Navy and the program’s shipbuilding team. The technology and design allow the ship to reach a new level of sophisticated abilities.
The concept of the ship originated in the 1990s as part of the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers. This was then known as the Land Attack Destroyer variant of the Surface Combatant 21 (SC 21) program. It was referred to as the DD(x) program in 2002, and once again renamed in 2006 as the DDG 1000.
In early 2002, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Company were the chief contractors taking part in the shipbuilding program. Then, when the Navy took over ownership, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works became responsible for supervising the hull, mechanical and engineering part of the agreement. Even so, Raytheon remains accountable for the entire battle system.
The destroyer was first launched in October of 2013, and went into its first Alpha trials at sea in December of 2015 that tested its hull, mechanical and engineering gears. Bravo trials were held in March of this year, and then passed the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey in April.
Since then, Navy crew has moved into the ship. It should begin its sail out at sea in the East Coast this upcoming fall- first to Norfolk, VA, then to Baltimore MD. It will then head west to San Diego.
Despite the progress that has been made on the ship, there are still more developments that need to be worked on to ensure the vessel’s battle systems work properly. This includes radars, sensors, and weapons that allow the ship to specialize in land attacks. All of this should be ready late next year, or the beginning of 2018, when the Zumwalt will be put through the Combat System Operational Test. Once sensors and weapons reach competencies, the ship will deploy and begin full usage. Originally, the Zumwalt consisted of 32 ships and has slowly decreased to 3, but the budget has increased to ensure the vessels are top of the line warships. The 2 other Zumwalt-class ships are still undergoing construction under General Dynamics Bath Iron Works as well.
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