Task Force 72

The NUSHIP ZUMWALT DDG-1000 put to sea for the first time this morning from Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She is conducting a number of sea trials over the coming weeks before returning to Bath for checks etc. Then next year she will go to sea over a number of months for a series of trials of her new weapns and sensor suite which is a very comprehensive array of radars and passive sensors all fitted into her superstructure. They will also test fire her missile system and her two 155mm guns. Not the most attractive of ships and very expensive, so much so that the class will now be capped at 4 hulls all of which are in various stages of construction at BIW.

I have to say, this thing is about as graceful and attractive as a hat full of arseholes.

USN presses on with Zumwalt-class destroyers

Grace Jean, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Navy International
18 January 2016


Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the US Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyer programme, was underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean on 7 December 2015. Source: BIW

Key Points
Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is expected to return to sea in February for builder's trials
Delivery of the lead ship is planned for April 2016
After completing its first at-sea underway period, the lead ship of the US Navy's (USN's) Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) destroyer is preparing for builder's trials in February.

Assuming the second set of sea trials go well, Zumwalt (DDG 1000), which completed alpha sea trials in early December 2015, will proceed to acceptance trials in the March timeframe with a planned delivery in April, DDG 1000 programme manager Rear Admiral (select) James Downey said at the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium on 14 January.

During its seven-day alpha trials, Zumwalt performed well and demonstrated better than expected stability, officials said. The 186 m (610 ft) ship ran up to full power (up to 33 kt) and was able to stop completely in 90 seconds. As part of the trials, it also accomplished full rudder swings, demonstrating less than 8 degrees of list.

"The faster it goes, the faster it responds," Rear Adm Downey said, adding that the propulsion plant was exercised in more than a dozen configurations and exceeded requirements. Zumwalt encountered 8 to 10 ft seas in the Gulf of Maine, but otherwise did not see significant bad weather. Its razor-sharp bow was able to pierce though the water, officials noted. The team also gathered good data on the hull's radar cross-section, which is performing well.

Second-in-class Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is 84% complete at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be ready for launch by the end of June. Meanwhile, the third and final Zumwalt destroyer Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002) is 43% complete, with 90 of 97 of its units under construction. Production of its deckhouse - which reverted back to an all-steel design from the original composite found on the first two ships - is also underway, Rear Adm Downey said.

It is not the most attractive of vessels. Love the ships CO's name though. ZUMWALT is commanded by Captain James Kirk, USN. You never know he might be in line to be the Battle Group Commander when the new USS ENTERPRISE comes on line in about 8 years time when he is Admiral James Kirk onboard USS ENTERPRISE.

Cheap for fittings if anyone builds a model

where are the bow planes?

USS Zumwalt commissioned on the 15 Oct. Whilst transiting the Panama canal to her home port of San Diego suffered anengineering break down. She had to be towed through the Miraflores locks at the Pacific side. She suffered slight damaged to the hull. They towed her to the former US naval base in Panama City. Zumwalt will not sail till the engineering issues are resolved and tests carried out before she can make safe passage to San Diego.

Glen