The 610-foot-long warship has an angular shape to minimize its radar signature and cost more than $4.4 billion.
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“For Zumwalt’s crew, the call over the general announcing system, “Underway, shift colors” signaled the end of more than three years of training across the country in classrooms, labs and on the ship as our Navy’s next generation destroyer was being activated and tested”, Kirk wrote.
Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the stealthy Zumwalt destroyer depart from Bath Iron Works en route to its commissioning in Baltimore.
Image: USS Zumwalt transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials. The IPS generates approximately 78 megawatts of power, almost equal to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in order to meet the total ship electric power requirements and provide extra capacity to accommodate future weapons and systems.
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.
DDG 1000 will be the first U.S. Navy combatant surface ship to utilize an integrated power system (IPS) to provide electric power for propulsion and ship services. His legacy is proudly carried on today by the new class of destroyers that bear his name.
It’s headed to Baltimore, where it will be commissioned in October before going to its homeport in San Diego.
USS Zumwalt is commanded by Capt James A. Kirk and is expected to be integrated into the USA naval fleet in 2018 following tests and evaluations.
The Zumwalt is named after Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., former chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1974.
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The 610-foot destroyer once headed out for sea trials in a snowstorm, and hundreds of people gathered to watch Wednesday as it headed into the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine while leaving ME for good.
