 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) departs the Bath Iron Works shipyard for its second at-sea period. 24 March 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
The Zumwalt-class destroyer is a class of three United States Navy guided missile destroyers designed as multi-mission stealth ships with a focus on land attack.
It is a multi-role class that was designed for secondary roles of surface warfare and anti-aircraft warfare and originally designed with a primary role of naval gunfire support.
 |
Video frame grab showing the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) departing Bath Iron Works marking the beginning of a 3-month journey to its new homeport in San Diego, California (USA). 7 September 2016. (U.S. Navy video)
|
One of the most ambitious warship classes in recent memory, the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers are also the most advanced. The three destroyers—Zumwalt (DDG-1000), Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), and Lyndon B.Johnson (DDG-1002)—combine stealth, advanced sensors, a revolutionary propulsion system, and the ability to operate drones and helicopters into a deadly platform that could rule the seas.
 |
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) passes under the Gov. William Preston Lane Memorial Bridge, also known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as the ship travels to its new home port of San Diego, California. 17 October 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the first vessel built under the US Department of Defense’s DD(X) programme, was delivered to the US Navy in May 2016.
These ships are classed as destroyers, but they are much larger than any other active destroyer or cruiser. The vessels' distinctive appearance results from the design requirement for a low radar cross-section (RCS).
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) transits the Atlantic Ocean during acceptance trials April 21, 2016 with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). (U.S. Navy photo)
|
Zumwalt has a ‘tumblehome’ hull form, a design in which hull slopes inward from above the waterline. The DDG 1000 has a displacement of 15,761 t, with a sustained speed of 30 kt.
The Zumwalts use ballast tanks to lower themselves into the water for a reduced profile in combat.
The Zumwalts use ballast tanks to lower themselves into the water for a reduced profile in combat.
 |
The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 1000 is floated out of dry dock at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. BATH, Maine (Oct. 28, 2013). (U.S. Navy photo)
|
Zumwalt is the first US Naval surface combatant to feature all-electric propulsion. Zumwalt integrates an all-electric drive with an integrated power system (IPS) consisting of two main turbine generators (MTG), two auxiliary turbine generators (ATG) and two 34.6MW advanced induction motors (AIM).
The all-electric propulsion of Zumwalt also generates 58 MW of additional reserved power allowing the integration of future high-energy weapons and sensors.
The Rolls-Royce MT30 36MW gas turbine generator set has been selected to power the IPS EDM. Rolls-Royce delivered the first set in February 2005. Rolls-Royce was awarded a contract for four MT30 sets for the first two DDG-1000 destroyers in March 2007.
 |
Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, speaks at the commissioning ceremony of USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000). BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 15, 2016). (U.S. Navy photo)
|
DDG 1000 will have a crew of 158, including the aviation detachment. This represented major theoretical cost saving compared to crew levels of 330 on Spruance destroyers, and 200 on Oliver Hazard Perry frigates.
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) passes Coronado bridge on its way to Naval Base San Diego. 8 December 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
Despite being 40% larger than an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the radar cross-section (RCS) is more akin to that of a fishing boat. The tumblehome hull and composite deckhouse reduce radar return. Overall, the destroyer's angular build makes it 50 times harder to spot on radar than an ordinary destroyer.
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) steams in formation with USS Independence (LCS 2) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) on the final leg of her three-month journey to her new homeport in San Diego. Pacific Ocean 8 December 2016. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo)
|
The Advanced Gun System is a 155 mm naval gun, two of which are installed in each ship. This system consists of an advanced 155 mm gun and its Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP). This projectile is a rocket with a warhead fired from the AGS gun; the warhead has an 11 kg / 24 lb bursting charge and has a circular error probable of 50 meters. This weapon system has a range of 83 nautical miles (154 km).
The fully automated storage system has room for up to 750 rounds. The barrel is water-cooled to prevent overheating and allows a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute per gun.
The advanced vertical launch system (AVLS) that forms the basis of the PVLS was developed by BAE Systems Land and Armaments and Raytheon and has been designated the mk57 VLS.
Missile systems include tactical tomahawk (intended to succeed Tomahawk TLAM), standard missile SM-3 and the evolved Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM) for air defence.
The ship’s close-in gun system (CIGS) is the BAE Systems Land and Armaments 57 mm mk110 naval gun. The gun has a firing rate of 220 rounds a minute and range of 14km (nine miles). Raytheon IDS is supplying the ship’s electro-optical / infrared suite, which has five Lockheed Martin sensors and provides 360° surveillance and gunfire control.
 |
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) approaches the Gov. William Preston Lane Memorial Bridge, also known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as the ship travels to its new home port of San Diego, California. 17 October 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
Originally, the AN/SPY-3 active electronically scanned array primarily X band radar was to be married with Lockheed Martin's AN/SPY-4 S band volume search radar. Raytheon's X-band, active-array SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar (MFR) offers superior medium to high altitude performance over other radar bands, and its pencil beams give it an excellent ability to focus in on targets. SPY-3 will be the primary radar used for missile engagements.
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is underway in formation with the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) on the final leg of its three-month journey to its new homeport in San Diego. Pacific Ocean 8 December 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
A dual-band sonar controlled by a highly automated computer system will be used to detect mines and submarines. It is claimed that it is superior to the Burke's sonar in littoral ASW, but less effective in blue water/deep sea areas.
- Hull-mounted mid-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-60)
- Hull-mounted high-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-61)
- Multi-function towed array sonar and handling system (AN/SQR-20)
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000). (Paul VanDerWerf / Wiki Common)
|
Zumwalt carries 16 pre-assembled IBM blade servers. The network allows a seamless integration of all on-board systems, e.g. sensor fusion, easing operation and mission planning.
 |
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) arrives at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island during its maiden voyage from Bath Iron Works Shipyard in Bath, Maine. 8 September 2016. (U.S. Navy photo)
|
Automation reduces crew size on these ships: less than half of needed by similar warships. Smaller crews reduce a major component of operating costs. Ammunition, food, and other stores are all mounted in containers able to be struck below to magazine/storage areas by an automated cargo handling system.
Water spray or mist systems are proposed for deployment in the Zumwalt-class destroyer, but the electronic spaces remain problematic to the designers. Halon/Nitrogen dump systems are preferred but do not work when space has been compromised by a hull breach. The GAO has noted this system as a potential problem yet to be addressed.
Zumwalt-class overview
Builders: Bath Iron Works
Operators: US Navy
Cost:
- $22.5 billion program cost (FY15)
- $4.24B per unit (excl R&D) as of 2016
Planned: 32
Completed: 3
Cancelled: 29
General characteristics
Type: Guided missile destroyer
Displacement: 15,742 long tons (15,995 t)
Length: 610 ft (190 m)
Beam: 80.7 ft (24.6 m)
Draft: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
Propulsion:
- 2 × Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines (35.4 MW (47,500 hp) each) driving Curtiss-Wright electric generators
- 2 × Rolls-Royce RR4500 turbine generators (3.8 MW (5,100 hp) each)
- 2 × propellers driven by electric motors
Speed: 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement: 147 +28 in air detachment
Sensors and processing systems: AN/SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar (MFR) (X band active electronically scanned array)
Armament:
- 20 × MK 57 VLS modules, 4 cells per module, 80 launch cells total. Each cell can contain:
- four RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM)
- one Tomahawk
- one Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Missile (ASROC)
- 2 × 155 mm (6 in)/62 caliber Advanced Gun System; 920 round magazine. Unusable, no ammunition
- 2 × 30 mm (1.2 in) Mk 46 Mod 2 Gun Weapon System
- 1 × SH-60 LAMPS or MH-60R helicopter
- 3 × MQ-8 Fire Scout VT-UAVs
EmoticonEmoticon