Posted on 01/07/2016 6:05:34 AM PST by artichokegrower
Video from Maine Imaging Photography showing the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt (DDG-1000) entering Portland Harbor following sea trials in December. The Zumwalt is the first of three planned Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers being built for the Navy by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine.
(Excerpt) Read more at gcaptain.com ...
Its was on its initial builders sea trials. The maneuvering thrusters for docking were probably not tasked to be tested this trip.
But it is not a small vessel. It displaces between 14,000 and 16,000 tons...so without using the thrusters, it needs attention...and its new, so they do not want to make mistakes.
How does one move from the foredeck to the aft-deck if something in the middle catches fire?
I expect in that large deck house, there will be ample place for watch standing.
Also, aft on the helo deck. With railing that retracts, they can stand watch there and particularly on the inset decks and houysings along the hull as necessary.
You can see some of the possible positions along the hull, in the bridge/deck house, and on the fantail and helo deck in this pic:
I suspect that the deck is not used during altercations. It may be more of a cover for the operational deck below.
US military ships in the age of sail were low to the water and frequently had water washing over the decks which is why they had catwalks.
There are multiple decks, and multiple, separate fire protected corridors within each deck.
They will identify where the fire is and then move around within the ship to fight it, using specific fire fighting and damage control practices developed specifically for the ship.
All ships have this that are tailored to their layout.
Wow...she's a beauty!
It's like that first look at an F-22 after having known only P-51s and F-4s.
Lots of new/old ideas on display. I wonder how their theories are working in real life.
If she ever capsizes she will still be a viable platform. /sarc
In addition, each builder sea trial, and later when the Navy conducts its own, will test various things about the ship. They certainly did not exercise her full sea state capabilities on this initial trial. Probably 1/2 or 2/3rds, nothing like flank speed even.
But they did take her out for a few days and exercise her and she performed well for those tests...but they are only the initial tests.
We will definitely see more as she builds up to handover to the Navy, and then as the Navy builds her up to full operational capability. All of that will take 2-3 years.
Here's a decent video of her underway during those sea trials:
Wow...she's a beauty!
It's like that first look at an F-22 after having known only P-51s and F-4s.
Lots of new/old ideas on display. I wonder how their theories are working in real life.
I feel the same way.
She is the "new" thing, and she has been designed by the best in the world.
Thus far, she has had surprisingly few troubles...but she has a long way to go. we know her new all electric power system worked for propulsion and basic habitability.
Lots and lots of really new stuff yet to be tested like the new radar, the new gun system, the new peripheral vertical launch systems, etc.
Time will tell...but I bet, particularly along about the 3rd vessel when they build her with one of the new rail guns...which BTW they will live fire at sea on a US Navy Spearfish vessel this year in 2016...she will be recognized as the most modern, the most stealthy, and the most capable surface combatant afloat.
BTW, interstingly enough, during these sea trials, she was called upon to help the Coast Guard rescue some fishermen who were in trouble.
Here's a link to that video:
Semper Peratus
Thought must impressive image was that of a the USCG 29 ft RBS with the bow mounted M240 escorting the Zumwalt
Close in, as the Zumwalt moved down the Kennebec River, on her way out to sea, she was escorted by an armed US Coast Guard Defender Class response boat.
Click the picture for a high res image)
But well out in front, she had a larger Island Class cutter, with that 25mm chain gun, leading the way:
Click the picture for a high res image)
ed ...and the Zumwalt soon follow:
Click the picture for a high res image)
Nice stuff.
Personally, I bet what the Zumwalt can do right now is beyond amazing...and they're just getting started!
Hopefully, whatever unpleasant surprises the years and bazzillions of gigabits of R&D might have missed aren't too unpleasant.
May the most unpleasant surprises be for anyone who go against her!
The Zumwalt dispatched one of its semi-rigid boats to get the guy and brought him back to the Zumwalt, and then the Coast Guard air lifted him off the Zumwalt's deck
Nothing untoward or any conspiracy...just good fortune.
Please forgive the lame attempt at humor in my habitual reaction/holder over from days gone by when every such shakedown cruise had a shadow or few taking notes and pictures.
Truth is, these days I've been learning to use the perspective that sees this as a conspiracy of good fortune and I love it when His Plan comes together, so to speak.
From what I have read, we have rail gun tech. Either it is already mounted or it will be soon.
The hold back was the ability to generate enough energy to make consecutive firings, along with a materials issue - i.e. the launcher tended to melt after consecutive uses.
I have it on good authority that both of those issues have been addressed. At this point it is a question of has it been deployed yet.
No, it didn’t. That was the newest LCS (Milwaukee) that broke down. The Zumwalt is fine.
Here is a video of a program manager talking about the 2013 tests.
Railgun Tests from 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=w7Xh28hNRBQ
Here's a real good video about the general capabilities:
Blitzer Railgun Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWZPp3aEjuM
Here's a depiction of what they are planning for this summer. The conversion to the ship is already taking place:
The Zumwalt was designed with the power and the storage capacity to operate rail guns. The new Flight III Burkes will also have plenty of power for it.
Assuming the worries about the hull in high sea states doesn’t pan out, chances are there’ll be more of them than just the three. Or, rather, a cruiser version carrying the next evolution of AEGIS. Just like the Ticonderoga cruisers carried AEGIS to sea on the Spruance hull.
Something will be needed to replace the Ticonderogas, and the Burke hull is being pushed to it’s limits with the next flights being built. So more cost effective to reuse the Zumwalt hull (which will be pretty well known at that point) or try to redesign and grow the Burke hull, which was already grown with the addition of the helo capabilities?
Besides, the Navy really wants the O6 sea command billets that come with the “cruiser” designation.
I was thinking more of the semi-portable stage. When you can field a team weapon, like a mortar or Dragon launcher,and be able to knock out any tank with one shot one kill.
Shipboard and mechanized models will make the greatest artillery ever, but a man portable type will end vehicle usage on the battlefield. It will be infantry armies again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.