DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class - Multimission Destroyer: Advanced Technology Surface Combatants, USA

In November 2001, the US Department of Defense announced that the DD 21 programme for the future surface combatant had been revised and would now be known as DD(X). The programme focus would now be on a family of advanced technology surface combatants, rather than a single ship class.

A revised request for proposals was issued and in April 2002, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Ingalls was selected as the lead design agent for DD(X). Northrop Grumman led the 'gold team' which included Raytheon Systems Company as the systems integrator. The 'gold team' proposal incorporates 'blue team' leader Bath Iron Works (a General Dynamics company) as a subcontractor for design and test activities. Other major subcontractors include Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems Land and Armaments (formerly United Defense) and Boeing.

In November 2005, DD(X) was approved for System Development and Demonstration (SDD). In April 2006, the USN announced that the first ship of the class will be designated DDG 1000 Zumwalt.

The USN budget for the 2007 and 2008 financial year provides funding for the first two ships to be built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, rather than hold a competition, as was previously anticipated. In September 2007 it was decided that Bath Iron Works will build the lead ship.

The US Navy awarded the contract for the construction of the first two ships to General Dynamics (DDG 1000) and Northrop Grumman (DDG 1001) in February 2008. Both vessels are planned for delivery in 2013.

The number of ships required was planned to be between eight and 12 but, in July 2008, the US Navy announced that the DDG 1000 programme would be cancelled after the completion of the first two ships. The USN will instead continue with construction of further Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyers.

Northrop Grumman has completed DDG 1000 system design and 11 Engineering Development Models (EDM) and the system-wide critical design review was successfully completed in September 2005. The EDMs include: advanced gun system, integrated power system, composite deckhouse, peripheral vertical launch system, integrated sonar system (with advanced towed array and high-frequency active sonar) and dual band radar suite. A decommissioned Spruance Class destroyer (USS Arthur W Radford) will serve as the test platform for the DDG 1000.

DDG 1000 replaces the DD 21 Zumwalt programme which was for a class of 32 multimission destroyers to replace Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigates (FFG 7) and Spruance class destroyers (DD 963) from 2012. Unlike previous classes of destroyer, which were primarily to counter deep-water threats, the DD 21's primary mission would be to provide land attack support for ground forces and also to carry out traditional destroyer missions of anti-air, anti-surface and undersea warfare.

Design

DDG 1000 will have a 'tumblehome' hull form, i.e. a design in which hull slopes inward from above the waterline. This will significantly reduce the radar cross section since such a slope returns a much less defined radar image rather than a more hard-angled hull form.

Requirements for the integrated deckhouse EDM is that it is fully EMC (Electromagetic Compatibility) shielded with reduced infrared and radar signatures. Measures to fulfil these conditions include an all-composite superstructure, low signature electronically steered arrays, an integrated multi-function mast and low radar and infrared signatures. Other measures to reduce the vessel's infrared signature include the development of an exhaust suppressor.

Harris Corporation has been awarded a contract for the development of the Common Data Link (CDL) X/Ku-band phased array antenna systems, which will be integrated into the integrated deckhouse assembly. The multi-beam electronically-steered antenna will allow connectivity with up to eight CDL terminals.

The DDG 1000 is planned to have a displacement of around 12,000t, less than the 14,000t or more of the DD-21, with a sustained speed of around 30kt.

Crew

DDG 1000 will have a crew of 142, 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.

Command and control

In November 2007, Raytheon IDS was awarded the contract as the prime mission systems integrator for all electronic and combat systems.

The combat system will be based on the Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) utilising open architecture, standardised software and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. General Dynamics is responsible for the Common Enterprise Display System (CEDS).

Weapons

DDG 1000 will have a sensor and weapons suite optimised for littoral warfare and for network-centric warfare. Northrop Grumman has put forward a solution based on a Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS). The solution consists of 20 four-cell PVLS situated round the perimeter of the deck, rather than the usual centrally located VLS. This would reduce the ship's vulnerability to a single hit.

The Advanced Vertical Launch System (AVLS) that forms the basis of the PVLS is being developed by BAE Systems Land and Armaments and Raytheon and has been designated the mk57 VLS.

Missile systems under consideration include Tactical Tomahawk (intended to succeed Tomahawk TLAM), Standard Missile SM-3 and the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) for air defence.

BAE Systems Land and Armaments has been awarded the contract to develop the EDM for the ship's Advanced Gun System (AGS), building on development work carried out for DD-21. The vessel's two 155mm guns will be able to fire up to 100nm at a sustained rate of 12 rounds a minute. It will be equipped with a fully automated weapon handling and storage system and a family of advanced munitions and propelling charges, including the GPS-guided Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP). Up to 900 rounds of LRAP ammunition will be carried.

Lockheed Martin has been awarded the contract for the LRAP EDM.

The family of munitions is expected to include land attack and ballistic projectiles. Technologies derived from the US Navy's Extended-Range Guided Munition (ERGM), the US Army 155mm XM-982 projectiles and the DTRA 5in projectile are being studied for incorporation into the projectile suite.

BAE Systems Land and Armaments is developing advanced gun barrel technologies for the new AGS, with improvements to barrel life, overall system performance and life-cycle costs.

The ship's Close-In Gun System (CIGS) will be the BAE Systems Land and Armaments 57mm Mk 110 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 will provide 360£ surveillance and gun fire control.

Radar

The radar suite will consist of a dual-band radar for horizon and volume search – a Lockheed Martin S-band Volume Search Radar (VSR) integrated with the AN/SPY-3 multi-function radar already being developed by Raytheon for the US Navy. The two radars are to be integrated at waveform level for enhanced surveillance and tracking capability.

The AN/SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar (MFR) is an X-band active phased-array radar designed to detect low-observable anti-ship cruise missiles and support fire-control illumination for the ESSM and standard missiles.

Sonar

At the heart of the ship's integrated undersea warfare system will be a dual-frequency (high / medium) bow array and a multi-function towed array. The US Navy has already set up the IUSW-21 program to develop technologies including multifunction hull array, mine avoidance and shallow water ASW.

Aircraft

The DDG 1000 ship design includes two landing spots for helicopters.

Propulsion

It was envisaged that the DDG 1000 would have an all-electric drive with an Integrated Power System, (IPS) based on in-hull Permanent Magnet-synchronous Motors (PMMs). The provision of electric drive eliminates the need for drive shaft and reduction gears and brings benefits in acoustic signature reduction, an increase in available power for weapon systems and improvements in the quality of life for crew.

DRS Technologies Power Technology unit received development contracts for the PMM motors, electric drive and control system for the IPS.

However in September 2007, Converteam (formerly Alsthom Power Conversion) was awarded the contract for the IPS with a solution based on Advanced Induction Motors (AIM).

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. The MT30 has 80% commonality with the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 aero engine and Rolls-Royce states that it is the most powerful marine gas turbine in the world. CAE will supply the integrated platform management system.