Stealthy destroyer ready to set sail to join US Navy

In addition to its advanced weapon and propulsion systems, Zumwalt is much larger than today’s destroyers.

It left Bath Iron Works in ME, where it was built, on Wednesday.

After the Zumwalt’s commissioning ceremony in Baltimore, the ship will making several port visit on its way to San Diego.

USS Zumwalt is the lead ship of Zumwalt-class, the next-generation multi-mission destroyers created to strengthen naval power.

The largest and most expensive destroyer ever built for the U.S. Navy once headed to sea in a snowstorm during builder trials.

The vessel is expected to pass through the Narragansett East Passage (under the Newport Bridge) around 3 p.m. Thursday.

The 610-foot warship features an angular shape to minimize its radar signature, unconventional hull, powerful new gun system and composite deckhouse that hides the radar and sensors.

It weighs in at almost 15,000 tons, about 50 percent heavier than current destroyers. His legacy is proudly carried on today by the new class of destroyers that bear his name.

USS Zumwalt is the lead ship of the US Navy’s next-generation multi-mission destroyers, which can be engaged in critical maritime missions while boosting the navy’s ability for deterrence, power projection and sea control. Officials say, the system generates an estimated 78 megawatts of power – nearly the same as what a nuclear aircraft carrier generates.

The Zumwalt, Daly said, has the smallest crew size since the Farragut-class built in the 1930s, which featured a similar complement of sailors.

In preparation for Zumwalt’s departure from Bath, the crew recently completed an engineering light off assessment and crew certification to ensure the ship’s readiness to join the surface fleet.

The Zumwalt’s crew is constantly talked up by Kirk, who wants to make sure the highly trained sailors are not overshadowed by the vessel’s technology.

There are inevitable lighthearted comparisons of the futuristic-looking ship to the Starship Enterprise and the skipper to the mythical Captain Kirk.

The real Kirk shrugs off the Starfleet jokes with a smile.