US Navy’s first DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer successfully completes sea trials

Raytheon has confirmed the completion of Alpha trials for the US Navy’s first Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) guided-missile destroyer.

The company is the prime mission-systems equipment integrator for the destroyer programme. It provides electronic and combat systems for the three-ship class.

During the week-long trials at sea, the destroyer demonstrated key capabilities, including the activation of Raytheon’s total ship computing environment (TSCE) and engineering control systems.

The destroyer’s integrated system was tested during sea trials, demonstrating more than 200 continuous hours of operation, as well as successfully testing and activation of equipment and components (exceeding 1,800 elements).

TSCE provides all shipboard computing applications, including the combat management system; command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence elements; ship and machinery control systems; damage control; embedded training; and support system.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Seapower Capability Systems business vice-president Paul Ferraro said: "It was a privilege to see the first of these revolutionary ships set sail.

"The sea trials represent the culmination of years of design, development and production, systems and shipboard integration, testing and training. We share in the collective pride of the government- industry team, knowing what an outstanding contribution we’re making to the Navy and the nation."

In December, the destroyer sailed out to sea from shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for the first time to begin its maiden sea trials.

So far, more than 330 hours of training have been completed with the sailors of the DDG 1000 Pre-Commissioning crew.

The training covered ship control system, TSCE operation, the integrated ship plan, combat systems overview and the fundamentals of the ship mission centre.

Additionally, the ship’s navigation and bridge activation is complete.

The 610ft-long Zumwalt destroyers have a displacement capacity of more than 15,700t when fully loaded, and are designed for multi-mission littoral operations and land attack.

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Image: Zumwalt-class DDG 1000 during sea trials. Photo: courtesy of Raytheon Company.