US Navy takes delivery of lead Zumwalt-class destroyer

USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the US Navy’s next-generation, multi-mission surface combatants, was delivered to the navy on April 24.

Following this delivery, the ship will transition from combat systems activation to the next phase of developmental and integrated at-sea testing.

This event marks a major milestone of the dual delivery approach for USS Zumwalt, which achieved hull mechanical & electrical delivery from shipbuilder General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works in May 2016.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems was the prime contractor for the Zumwalt Combat System, and has lead activation and integration for Zumwalt class ships both in Bath, Maine and San Diego.

“Delivery is an important milestone for the navy, as DDG 1000 continues more advanced at-sea testing of the Zumwalt combat system,” Capt. Kevin Smith, DDG 1000 program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships, said.

“The combat test team, consisting of the DDG 1000 sailors, Raytheon engineers, and navy field activity teams, have worked diligently to get USS Zumwalt ready for more complex, multi-mission at-sea testing.”

With delivery, USS Zumwalt joins the US Pacific Fleet battle force and remains assigned to Surface Development Squadron One. In addition to at-sea testing of the Zumwalt combat system, DDG 1000 will also operate as a key enabler in the acceleration of new warfighting capabilities and rapid development and validation of operational tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The 610-foot, wave-piercing tumblehome ship design provides a wide array of advancements. Employing an innovative and highly survivable integrated power system (IPS), DDG 1000 has the capacity to distribute 1000 volts of direct current across the ships’ entirety, allowing for enhanced power capability for various operational requirements. Additionally, the shape of the superstructure and the arrangement of its antennas significantly reduce radar cross section, making the ship less visible to enemy radars.

“Every day the ship is at sea, the officers and crew learn more about her capability, and can immediately inform the continued development of tactics, techniques, and procedures to not only integrate Zumwalt into the fleet, but to advance the Navy’s understanding of operations with a stealth destroyer,” Capt. Andrew Carlson, the Commanding Officer of USS Zumwalt, remarked.

“After sailing over 9000 miles and 100 days at sea in 2019, we are absolutely looking forward to more aggressive at-sea testing and validation of the combat systems leading to achievement of initial operational capability.”

The USS Zumwalt is the first ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyers. The USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is homeported in San Diego and is undergoing combat systems activation. The third and final ship of the class, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), is under construction at BIW’s shipyard in Bath, Maine.