USS Zumwalt joins the fleet; homeport to be San Diego
NewsMay 23, 2016
BATH, Maine. U.S. Navy officials accepted the delivery of the first USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class ship, the next-generation of multi-mission surface vessels. The ship will be commissioned in Baltimore following delivery and crew certification at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works on October 15, Navy officials say. Mission System Activation will continue in conjunction with Post Delivery Availability in San Diego, the ship's homeport.
The ship underwent tests, trials, and demonstrations before Navy officials accepted the delivery. Testing including the ship's hull, mechanical, electrical systems, ship's boat handling, anchor, and mooring systems as well as drill demonstrations of damage control, ballasting, navigation, and communications systems.
The ship makes use of active and passive sensors and a Multi-Function Radar (MFR). The arrangement of the ship's antennas reduce radar cross section, giving the ship a stealth capability.
The Zumwalt's Integrated Power System (IPS) distributes 1000 volts of direct current across the ship. Its architectural capabilities give the operator the ability to allocate all 78 megawatts of installed power to propulsion, ship's service, and combat system loads from the same gas turbine prime movers.
Other features include two Advanced Gun Systems, and eighty Advanced Vertical Launch System cells for Tomahawk missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, Standard Missiles, and Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROC) (VLA).
"Zumwalt's crew has diligently trained for months in preparation of this day and they are ready and excited to take charge of this ship on behalf of the U.S. Navy," says Capt. James Kirk, commanding officer of future Zumwalt. "These are 143 of our nation's finest men and women who continue to honor Adm. Zumwalt's namesake with their dedication to bringing this ship to life."
Navy officials say the USS Zumwalt is scheduled to arrive in San Diego in late 2016.
