The US Navy has christened the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) in a ceremony at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine, US.
The lead ship in the navy’s newest and most-advanced destroyer class has been named to honour the former chief of naval operations (CNO) admiral Elmo R Zumwalt, who served as the 19th CNO from 1970-74.
US Navy secretary Ray Mabus said that the DDG 1000 will help shape the future of surface combatants, just as admiral Elmo Zumwalt helped shape the nation’s navy.
"The sophisticated new technology incorporated aboard this ship, combined with its multi-mission capabilities, will ensure it is a relevant and integral part of our battle force for years to come," Mabus said.
Scheduled to join the fleet in 2016, the 610ft-long USS Zumwalt has a displacement capacity of more than 15,000t when fully loaded.
Featuring new technologies that deliver capability now and serve as a springboard for incorporation into future ship classes, the Zumwalt-class destroyers are equipped with highly survivable integrated-power systems.
The next-generation of multi-mission surface combatants are designed for multi-mission littoral operations and land attack.
Additional features of the ship include two advanced-gun systems, firing long-range land attack projectiles, which provide precision, high volume and persistent fire support to forces ashore.
The active and passive sensors and multi-function radar of the DDG 1000 ship will enable it to conduct area-air surveillance, including over-land, throughout the extremely difficult and cluttered sea-land interface.
Image: The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class vessel, DDG 1000, floated out of dry dock. Photo: US Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics/Released.
