USS Zumwalt Completes Major Developmental Test

 

The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) completed a major developmental test, March 20, demonstrating the integration of the Engineering Control System (ECS) software and the ship’s Integrated Power System (IPS) at the Land Based Test Site at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station.

The test verified the software and hardware compatibility and interoperability between the ECS hardware and the IPS. Conducted by a joint Navy and industry team, this occasion marks the successful completion of the second of two developmental test events, and focused on demonstrating the dynamic control and monitoring features of the IPS using actual DDG 1000 class control system interfaces and tactical hardware.

“This is an extremely significant test milestone for the DDG 1000 program,” said Capt. James Downey, DDG 1000 program manager from Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “This test demonstrates that the DDG 1000 program’s incremental development of technologies and robust testing plan are on track to deliver unprecedented capability to the Fleet.”

DDG 1000 is the first surface combatant to be built with an IPS, which will use electric power for propulsion and ship services. The IPS generates the total ship electric power requirements, then distributes and converts it for all ship loads, including propulsion, combat systems and ship services.

The test demonstrated IPS control at various levels of intelligence, including manual, man-in-the-loop and automated scenarios under normal and fault conditions. Among the functions tested were operating mode transitions, control of the IPS under full propulsion motor power demand, and automated control under various fault scenarios.

Completion of this testing marks a significant milestone in a planned three-year integration and risk reduction test effort where the IPS has been demonstrated at full power – now integrated with major portions of its shipboard control system. Thoroughly testing the units at the land- based test facility greatly reduces construction risk at Bath Iron Works. Additional risk reduction testing will continue to support ship activation into 2013.

The lead ship of the DDG 1000 class, USS Zumwalt, is currently 67 percent complete and scheduled to deliver in fiscal year 2014, with an initial operating capability in fiscal year 2016. The second ship, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), is over 26 percent complete. DDG 1002 is scheduled to start fabrication in April 2012.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, an affiliated PEO of NAVSEA, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, special warfare craft, and foreign military sales.

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Naval Today Staff , March 23, 2012;