The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has successfully conducted its first in-class live-fire missile exercise.
As part of the exercise, the crew of USS Zumwalt fired a series of missiles, including RIM 162D Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) and the Standard Missile 2 (SM-2).
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The exercise was conducted at the Point Mugu Test Range in the Pacific Ocean on 14 April. The missiles engaged live targets.
It marked the final air defence testing of the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer.
USS Zumwalt commanding officer captain Amy McInnis said: “Demonstrating the capability of our combat suite and the lethality of our systems is critical to furthering the Zumwalt class.
“Zumwalt continues to make great strides and we are excited to continue to test her limits later this year.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataFollowing the live-fire testing, USS Zumwalt crew has now started preparing for the maiden deployment.
Built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW), DDG 1000 is the first surface combatant of the Zumwalt-class designed to combat various naval threats.
The stealth destroyer was named in honour of admiral Elmo R Zumwalt, the US Navy’s 19th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). It is currently carrying out routine operations in US 3rd Fleet.
The next-generation multi-mission destroyer can perform several operations, including command and control, deterrence, sea control, and other power projection missions.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer is designed to strengthen the maritime power, allowing the US Navy to evolve with advanced systems.
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has also completed a structural test fire of its gun weapon system (GWS), Mark 46 MOD 2, in May 2020.
