Destroyer Zumwalt (DDG-1000) transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). US Navy Photo
Posted on 05/20/2016 10:43:58 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works delivered the first Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer to the Navy on Friday, Naval Sea Systems Command announced.
The delivery of the 16,000-ton Zumwalt (DDG-1000) optimized for stealth and operations close to shore follows last month’s successful acceptance trials of the ship overseen by the service’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), Navy officials told USNI News.
INSURV evaluated the ship’s hull, mechanical and engineering (HM&E) systems during the underway testing period last month.
“Zumwalt’s crew has diligently trained for months in preparation of this day and they are ready and excited to take charge of this ship on behalf of the U.S. Navy,” said Capt. James Kirk, commanding officer of Zumwalt in a statement. “These are 143 of our nation’s finest men and women who continue to honor Admiral Zumwalt’s namesake with their dedication to bringing this ship to life.”
Now that Zumwalt is delivered, the ship’s crew will move aboard and begin an about four-month training process to operate the ship ahead of the ship’s planned commissioning in Baltimore on Oct. 15.
Following commissioning, the ship will transit to San Diego to complete the combat systems activation in a post-delivery maintenance availability. The move will free up additional space in the BIW yard allowing more room for the construction of other ships at Bath.
Zumwalt is the first hull delivered in the $22 billion three-ship class. The second and third ships — Michael Moonsor (DDG-1001) and Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) and Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) – are currently under construction at BIW.
The ships are built around a first-ever electric drive system in which the main engines power an electrical grid instead a direct link to the ship’s props allowing more margin to add additional systems to the ships.The ships’ main weapons are twin 155mm BAE Systems Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) designed to fire a specialized rocket assisted guided round to attack land targets – Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP).
The ships delivery was delayed by several months — in part — due to an extensive testing schedule to prove out several of the new systems on the ship.
Destroyer Zumwalt (DDG-1000) transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). US Navy Photo
Anyone else here remember the “Z grams?”
“Anyone else here remember the “Z grams?””
Moustache and sideburns ...
“Lyndon B. Johnson” so the ship must be good at detecting whales humping.
...Moustache and sideburns ....
Beer in the barracks.
Ultimately, women on warships.
Zumwalt was a piece of work. Beards, even. The goat locker would send the bearded ones through chem warfare training. Repeatedly. Problem solved.
The LBJ? WTF? Is it going to be taking out navy ships?
Wouldn’t it be neat, if in a few years, when the next USS Enterprise comes out, CVN-80, the 3rd Ford Class carrier, that he became the Carrier Strike group commander for her...Admiral James Kirk of the USS Enterprise?
We need 12 of these vessels.
They are ultra-stealthy, very well armed with the 80 PVLS Missile silos (capable of quad-packing ESSMNs, or having Tomahawks, the new LRASMs, etc. loaded in them) and the two 155mm Advanced Gun Systems and two smaller caliber (30mm) weapons.
In addition, with their integrated electrical system they have more than enough power to operate the new Rail Guns which will be coming out (and the 3rd one will probably be built with on) and the new LAWS (Laser Weapons System) the US is already testing at sea.
Great vessels, and a larger number build would reduce the cost per unit by quite a bit.
Originally they were going to build like 28 of them and so all of the research and construction was based on that number to provide the builder with a decent ROI.
Then the congress and admin reduced it to three ships and now they moan and complain about the cost per vessel.
well, you do not bring forward this type of capability and technology on the lamb. If they had stuck to the original plan each of them would have been far cheaper...probably half as much at least.
Just the same, a new admin could build more and I hope we do.
Not much of a sun deck........
Not much of a sun deck........
I thought the exact same thing. Being a Navy vet myself, I’m wondering if the crew receives sub pay. :)
Zumwalt tried to take away my bell bottom blues and dixie cup hat and replace them with Army looking stove pipe uniforms and bill brim hats. The backlash was unexpectedly huge, big enough to deep six that number.
$22 billion, at least, for 3 boats. 3. That’s it. Lots of eggs in one basket.
Looks Klingon design to me...............Just saying......
Yes. I remember reading them on the message board that the OOD reviewed before going on watch.
a little RomUlan with FerRangue touch. Got to keep any Women covered up.
...THIS is a knife!
“Anyone else here remember the “Z grams?””
Was in Navy from 1968 thru 1972 and I remember them as I was a Radioman at Cincpacflt at the time! Some of them were good others not so!
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.