The US Navy’s first Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), has successfully completed an engineering light off assessment and crew certification period at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works.
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The 610-foot-long warship features an angular shape to minimize its radar signature, a powerful new gun system and a composite deckhouse that hides its radar and sensors.
According to the US Naval Institute, the USS Zumwalt is created to operate close to shore, shares several features with stealth aircraft – like avoiding curves in the design – to keep its radar cross section low.
During a tour the Navy showed off the ship’s bridge, weaponry and mission center.
Image: USS Zumwalt transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials. They are capable of performing critical maritime missions and enhance the Navy’s ability to provide deterrence, power projection and sea control. The IPS generates approximately 78 megawatts of power, almost what a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier generates, to meet the total ship electric power requirements and provide extra capacity to accommodate future weapons and computing systems.
But despite its size, Zumwalt is crewed by just 147 sailors, about half that of the Arleigh Burke-class.
“USS Zumwalt will be formally commissioned during Fleet Week Maryland in Baltimore, October 15”, the US Navy said.
Despite the USS Zumwalt’s high level of automation and futuristic computer systems, Captain James A. Kirk is keen to stress the skill and expertise of his crew.
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The destroyer is named for Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., served as the top naval officer in the early 1970s and worked to modernize America’s fleet.
