The Mighty DDG 1000: Uпveiliпg the Elmo Zυmwalt Class Destroyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEH6tYB-PcService: USNArmament: Mk57 vertical launch system; Tomahawk missiles; SM-3; Evolved Sea Sparrow; Mk110 57mm gun; 155mm Advanced Gun SystemSpeed: 30 ktsCrew: 158 (including air det)Aircraft: (2) MH60R or (1) MH60R and (3) VTUAVs

Developed under the DD(X) destroyer program, the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000) is the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission surface combatants tailored for land attack and littoral dominance with capabilities that defeat current and projected threats.

 

 

DDG 1000 will triple naval surface fires coverage as well as tripling capability against anti-ship cruise missiles. DDG 1000 has a 50-fold radar cross section reduction compared to current destroyers, improves strike group defense 10-fold and has 10 times the operating area in shallow water regions against mines. For today’s warfighter, DDG 1000 fills an immediate and critical naval-warfare gap, meeting validated Marine Corps fire support requirements.

–Hoan–

In July 2008, Navy announced its decision to truncate the DDG 1000 program at three ships and restart the construction of BMD capable DDG 51s. The Department’s decision to truncate the DDG 1000 program and continue building DDG 51 class ships triggered a Nunn McCurdy critical cost breach due primarily to a reduction in total procurement quantity.

The multi-mission DDG 1000 is tailored for sustained operations in the littorals and land attack, and will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. Its multi-mission design and littoral capabilities make it a 100% percent globally deployable asset to the Fleet.

Designed to combat the threats of today as well as those of coming decades, these ships are equipped with numerous advanced technology and survivability systems.

DDG 1000 is the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to employ an innovative and highly survivable Integrated Power System (IPS). Key design features that make the DDG 1000 IPS architecture unique include the ability to provide power to propulsion, ship’s service, and combat system loads from the same gas turbine prime movers. DDG 1000’s power allocation flexibility allows for potentially significant energy savings and is well-suited to enable future high energy weapons and sensors.

The wave-piercing Tumblehome ship design has provided a wide array of advancements. The composite superstructure significantly reduces cross section and acoustic output making the ship harder to detect by enemies at sea. The design also allows for optimal manning with a standard crew size of 158 sailors (including air det) thereby decreasing lifecycle operations and support costs.

 

DDG 1000 will employ active and passive sensors and a Multi-Function Radar (MFR) capable of conducting area air surveillance, including over-land, throughout the extremely difficult and cluttered sea-land interface.

Each ship features a battery of two Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) firing Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) that reach up to 63 nautical miles, providing a three-fold range improvement in naval surface fires coverage.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) is responsible for design, construction, integration, testing and delivery of the DDG 1000 class, and DDG 1002 steel deckhouse, hangar and aft Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS). Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is responsible for the fabrication of the composite deckhouse, helo hangar and aft PVLS for DDG 1000 and DDG 1001. Raytheon is responsible for software development and integration with BAE providing the AGS and LRLAP.

PEO Ships and its industry partners worked diligently to mature the ship’s design and ready industrial facilities to ensure this advanced surface combatant is built on cost and on schedule. At 85 percent complete, the DDG 1000 design was more mature at start of fabrication than any lead surface combatant in history.

The Navy intends to procure three Zumwalt Class Destroyers which are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations, Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr.

Construction on DDG 1000 (ZUMWALT) commenced in February 2009. Launch is scheduled for Fall 2013, followed by HM&E delivery in 2014.

DDG 1001 was named MICHAEL MONSOOR in October 2008 by then-Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, honoring Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Ramadi, Iraq, Sept. 29, 2006. DDG 1001 start of fabrication took place in October 2009. Launch is scheduled for 2014, followed by HM&E delivery in 2015.

In April 2012, DDG 1002 was named LYNDON B. JOHNSON by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. The selection of Lyndon B. Johnson honors the nation’s 36th president and continues the Navy tradition of naming ships after presidents. DDG 1002 start of fabrication took place April 4, 2012.

Ships in class:

PCU Zumwalt (DDG 1000), Under constructionPCU Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), Under construction

PCU Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), Under construction