First step towards a new Destroyer Class done.
Tin Can Sailor Bump
DD(X)The DD(X) destroyer is at the heart of the DD(X) program. When put into service (it is currently in the construction phase), it will replace the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates and Spruance class destroyers.
DD(X) will provide land attack support for ground forces as well as perform anti-air, anti-surface and undersea warfare.
The DD(X) destroyer will have several advanced technology features:
Tumblehome Hull Form: This low-to-the water hull slopes inward from above the waterline reducing the hull’s exposure to waves. As a result, there is less ship-rocking motion to help reduce radar identification by other ships.
All-Electric Drive: Four prime movers (engines) will provide power to all the ship’s systems. Compared to present power configurations, the all-electric drive will eliminate driveshaft/reduction gears, thus reducing the acoustic signature by which other ships can identify a vessel. There will also be 10 times more available power for all the ship’s systems compared to the power capabilities of conventional ships. This additional power will also be necessary for future electronic-based weaponry.
Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS): The PVLS will be made up of clusters of missile magazines (four missiles/launchers in each cluster) located between layers of steel alongside the periphery of the hull.
The advantage of the PVLS versus locating the VLS missile magazines in the center of the ship, as has traditionally been done, is very simple: In the event a magazine is struck by an incoming missile, there is a reduced risk that other magazines will blow up and sink or severely damage the ship.
The PVLS will be able to launch several types of missiles:
Tomahawk land attack missiles
Standard missiles for local air defense
Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles for airborne and seaborne attacks
Antisubmarine rockets
Conventional Weaponry: DD(X) will be armed with an impressive array of traditional weaponry including:
Two 40mm close-in gun systems for air and surface attacks
Two 155mm guns (advanced gun systems) with:
Up to 80 nautical mile range
10 rounds/minute firing capability
Fully automated handling and storage system
GPS-guided Long Range Land Attack Projectiles
Future Weaponry: DD(X) will be a platform for varied-intensity weapons capable of damaging an enemy ship versus destroying it, depending on the power output of the weapon. Future weapons could include:
Free electron lasers utilizing photons traveling at light speed, providing precise targeting
High-powered microwaves utilizing radio frequency energy
Electromagnetic rail guns utilizing electricity and magnetic fields
Radar Suite: AN/SPY-3 multifunction radar will combine the functions formerly provided by five separate radar systems, reducing equipment and manpower costs. The radar will detect the most advanced, low-observable anti-ship cruise missiles, especially in adverse environmental conditions. To provide as small a signature as possible to other ships, phased array radar antennas will be incorporated into the DD(X)’s composite superstructure. (Composite material cannot be identified by radar.)
Crew: Many of the functions performed by crews on conventional destroyers will be automated on the DD(X). That means a reduction in crew size – 330 fewer sailors than the Spruance class destroyers and 200 fewer sailors than the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates. The crew will also focus on fighting versus ship maintenance.
Very cool.
I question the need and cost of the DDX when the Burke class does more cheaper and can be modded to incorporate a lot of what the DDX offers. It will not be as stealthy and no big gun but both of those are marginal.
The greatest cost of any ship is the crew, over its life. The DDX is better there than the DDGs but even that can be brought closer.
For me, the problem is numbers. We can have 1 1/2 to 2 DDGs for each DDX. If you believe the $ for the DDX, bump them by 2 to get a nearly accurate number. All program managers low ball their programs to keep funding. The only one I knew that did not was the FFG program, one of the most successful in recent memory.
Another class of skimmer that won't even submerge properly. I suppose it will be useful in some way, but if it doesn't have a diving alarm it can't be all that great.
2 questions for you folks....
1. what are these and how do they work? "Antisubmarine rockets "
2. They are moving to electric but they dont say how they are generating all that electric? is it nuke? If not what will they be able to use desil gen?
It might be superior, but I don't like the design. I rather like the older stealth ships.