Calling all Zumwalt-class DDG fans

[Admiral John Byng]

Thanks Navydavesof.
I have not been paying attention. This ship is the size of a large WWII heavy cruiser but seems to have inadequate AA systems and no CIWS. I hope the US Navy has the sense to correct that. They should review their info. on the Falklands War.

[navydavesof]

Admiral,

Thanks Navydavesof.
I have not been paying attention. This ship is the size of a large WWII heavy cruiser but seems to have inadequate AA systems and no CIWS. I hope the US Navy has the sense to correct that. They should review their info. on the Falklands War.

The Navy has a horrific recent history of very, very poor decisions. They are concerned more about immediate budget decisions rather than reliable weapons systems. LCS is the example that condemns the US Navy. I was recently at the building that instructs Sailors how the LCS is supposed to operate, and the tactics are rather poor...

...and so are its weapons systems.

DDG-1000 is another failed project that would have been better fulfilled by the original idea: A Spruance/Ticonderoga-class hull widened with a blister, given 2 Mk71 8" guns, 122-128 Mk41 VLS tubes, and a Buke-level of stealth. In my active-duty opinion, that would have worked far greater than what we have...

[maxim]

The question is, if a CIWS is necessary, if SM-2 and ESSM are available. The combination should be superior to a combination of SM-2 and Phalanx. The Phalanx gun has such a short range that the ship is probably hit anyway by parts of the missile.

Probably the lack of a long radar and the number of launchers is more problematic for air defence than the lack of a CIWS.

[Neptune]

Assuming it would actually destroy at that 2 mile range.
That is also taking in account a Harpoon type missile and nothing Russian. A Russian Nanuchka called Musson once hit a test Styx missile with its 57mm guns, yet the missile/dummy continued and eventually sank the Musson. I wouldn't be so sure about that CIWS.

Although I do agree that at least it should be present, relying only on ESSM and SM-2 would be quite risky, certainly considering the price tag and importance of the Zumwalt. The additional cost and space requirement is nothing compared to its benefits. If it is not deemed stealthy enough they could still mount it behind doors or make it retractable.
Not sure what the 30mm can do though, perhaps its adequate for this role as well...

[navydavesof]

Not sure what the 30mm can do though, perhaps its adequate for this role as well...

The 30mm cannot be used I a CIWS role. Lockheed manufactures a weapon system that is currently used as a CIWS by other nations: Millennium Gun.

[D-Boy]

http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/10/27/ ... e-strides/

The Navy�s DDG 1000 Zumwalt class destroyer program continues to make significant progress, achieving key shipbuilding milestones, and moving steadily to provide the next generation surface combatant to the Fleet.

The Zumwalt class destroyer program is currently under construction at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, Maine. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), named for former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo R. �Bud� Zumwalt, launched Oct. 28, 2013 and was Christened April 12, 2014. The future Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), named for Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, had its keel laid May 23, 2013, and the future Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), named for the former U.S. president, started fabrication April 4, 2012.

The first of class ship, DDG 1000 (PCU Zumwalt) is 92 percent complete and currently in test and activation phase of construction. The ship is successfully activating its fuel systems, advanced induction motors (AIM) and generators, with fuel onload and AIM light-off completed in July, and generator light-off achieved Sept. 23, 2014. _I6Z2035

Completion of generator light-off represents the latest electrical system milestone in an effort that began years ago with early prototype testing at the Land Based Test Site in Philadelphia, PA, aimed at risk reduction, crew familiarization, and eventual shipboard activation. Lessons learned from this effort helped lead to recent successful activation events onboard DDG 1000 including energizing the high voltage power system, lighting off of the port AIM utilizing shore power to demonstrate operation of the propulsion motor system, and continual and incremental testing of the engineering control system responsible for the automated control of the engineering plant. Most recently, successful testing of the fuel oil service and transfer system allowed for the onload of fuel to be utilized in the light-off of the first gas turbine generator which will be used to generate the power necessary for dockside and sea trials.

Concurrent with light-off activities, activation of DDG 1000�s computer system, Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) completed Oct. 9, 2014. Consisting of hardware, middleware and software operating systems, the TSCE is responsible for the operation and integration of the combat systems, engineering control systems, bridge and navigation systems, and damage control systems utilizing layered open architecture which allows for network flexibility and growth for future capabilities. With over six million lines of code, the TSCE , has been designed to maximize automation and watchstander efficiency in order to optimize crew size. To enable the TSCE activation, the DDG 1000 team has been hard at work to energize and groom data centers, certify software releases, and incorporate required support services, like chilled water and air-conditioning systems in order to support a successful and sustained activation. The DDG 1000 TSCE is the most advanced and complex shipboard computer operating system the Navy has produced, representing the cutting edge in future surface combatant capability.

In addition to key milestones on the lead ship, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) delivered the DDG 1001 composite deckhouse to the Navy. The 900-plus ton deckhouse was transported from Gulfport, Miss. via barge to the BIW shipyard in Bath, Maine, and arrived Sept.5, 2014 for subsequent lift and integration on the DDG 1001 hull at the shipbuilder�s land level test facility.

Through the combined efforts of the Navy�s DDG 1000 Program Office, Supervisor of Shipbuilding Bath, BIW, HII, BAE, Raytheon, and various subcontractor teams, the DDG 1000 program has made impressive strides in managing the development, construction, and delivery of this highly complex shipbuilding program.

These highly advanced surface combatants represent a significant leap forward in naval surface warfare capability through the use of advanced technologies. These advanced technologies include the all-electric Integrated Power System (IPS) which will provide 78 megawatts of shipboard power as well as a next generation Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS) capable of employing Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), Standard Missiles (SMs), Vertical Launched ASROC (VLA), Tomahawk, and future missiles. Additionally, the ships boast an Advanced Gun System with a Long Range Land Attack Projectile capable of launching a guided projectile at extended ranges. With impressive technologies, significant signature reductions over all previous surface combatants; and with automated engineering, machinery, and combat systems providing a significant reduction in manning levels, Zumwalt class destroyers will provide the fleet with the capabilities required for today�s naval operations and to be resources to face the threats of tomorrow.

The DDG 1000 Zumwalt class destroyers will be a multi-mission surface combatant designed to fulfill volume firepower and precision strike requirements. This advanced warship will enable access in the open ocean, littoral and ashore and provide impressive forward naval presence while operating independently or as an integral part of Naval, Joint, or Combined Expeditionary Strike Forces. Armed with an array of advanced weapons, the DDG 1000 program brings sophisticated new technologies that will deliver evolutionary capability and help shape the future of surface warfare.

[D-Boy]

http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/f ... 205b00000d

Photo at above link may be of interest for very basic hanger structure interior form.

[D-Boy]

http://www.informationdissemination.net ... f-gun.html

[D-Boy]

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/ ... stake.aspx

[EJM]

Lots of great pics here.
http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/ ... arly-here/

[el Cid]

That is one fugly vessel. And as to the very much earlier discussion of CIWS (Phalanx type) and missile defense...the old joke was that if you ever heard the CIWS firing, look which way it was pointing and jump off the other side of the ship. Chances were you were gonna get hit by something, maybe not an intact missile, but certainly pieces.

Cheers,

Keith

[EJM]

So what are the odds we'll see a 1/350 scale Zumwalt kit in the future? There's already a 1/700 Dragon kit out, so a 1/350 can't be too far behind. I'd definately buy at least 3. They'd make great whiffing possibilities.

[D-Boy]

Big Boy Blue issuing PE set for the Cyber Hobby 1:700-scale kit: http://www.freetimehobbies.com/1-700-bi ... -etch-set/

[D-Boy]

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... RC=navy.nl

The Navy is evaluating whether to mount its new Electromagnetic Rail Gun weapon aboard the high-tech DDG 1000 destroyer by the mid-2020s, service officials said.

The DDG 1000's Integrated Power System provides a large amount of on board electricity sufficient to accommodate the weapon, Capt. Mike Ziv, Program Manager for Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems, told reporters at the Navy League's 2015 Sea Air Space symposium at National Harbor, Md.

The first of three planned DDG 1000 destroyers was christened in April of last year.

Ziv said Navy leaders believe the DDG 1000 is the right ship to house the rail gun but that additional study was necessary to examine the risks. A rigorous study on the issue should be finished by the end of this year, Ziv said.

"I think it's an ideal platform. There is a little bit more work needed to understand the details," he added.

The DDG 1000 is 65-percent larger than existing 9,500-ton Aegis cruisers and destroyers with a displacement of 15,482 tons,.

The DDG 1000's integrated power system, which includes its electric propulsion, helps generate up to 58 megawatts of on-board electrical power, something seen as key to the future when it comes to the possibility of firing a rail gun

(Story continues at link above.)

[D-Boy]

Big Boy Blue issuing PE set for the Cyber Hobby 1:700-scale kit: http://www.freetimehobbies.com/1-700-bi ... -etch-set/

BigBoyBlue following up on their PE set for the Cyber Hobby release of the Zumwalt with a full resin recast of the ship, and augmented PE: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=159495. Notably, the set also includes an accurate MH-60R Seahawk, a critique of the original release.

[mike_espo]

Just received this beauty in the mail...Dragon 1/700 Zumwalt ddg 1000

Will begin construction soon....

[Timmy C]

Some new photos showing the uncovered uptakes on Zumwalt, courtesy of Chris Cavas at Defense News:

[D-Boy]

She headed out from Bath for sea trials today:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2384784/capt- ... en-voyage/

[Timmy C]

High-rez images of her at sea straight from GD-BIW:

https://i.imgur.com/TV6W6Qp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1N5rKI2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aHg5BAx.jpg

[maxim]

Zumwalt has still no guns on the hangar and the radar equipment on top of her superstructure is for sure different from the mast in the Dragon kit. Interesting are the safety nets on her flight deck - not on the deck corner because of the VLS launchers there.