Military

US Navy launches third and final Zumwalt-class destroyer

US Navy launches third and final Zumwalt-class destroyer
DDG 1002 afloat
DDG 1002 afloat
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DDG 1002 awaiting launch
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DDG 1002 awaiting launch
DDG 1002 afloat
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DDG 1002 afloat

The third and last Zumwalt-class ship for the US Navy launched on Sunday at the General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine. Built as part of a US$1.826 billion contract, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is one of the three largest destroyers ever built for the Navy and was floated over a period of several days by moving her to a drydock, which was then slowly flooded.

The launching of DDG 1002 comes at the same time as her sister ship, the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), is transiting to San Diego Bay for her January 26 commissioning in Coronado, California. Originally the third of a fleet of 32 Zumwalt-class destroyers, cancellation of the building program leaves the future USS Lyndon B Johnson as the last of her class.

DDG 1002 is named after the 36th US president and is a multi-mission destroyer capable of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions. Her distinct tumblehome hull and superstructure is designed to provide added stealth and she boasts an all-electric propulsion system, state-of-the art vertical launch missile systems and advanced computing capabilities.

DDG 1002 awaiting launch
DDG 1002 awaiting launch

The Zumwalt-class is also notable for having two 35.4-MW Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines driving Curtiss-Wright electric generators supplemented by two 3.8-MW Rolls-Royce RR4500 turbine generators providing 78 MW of generating capacity – comparable to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This not only allows the ship to run all its system on electricity, but provides enough surplus for next-generation directed energy weapons or rail guns.

DDG 1002 is currently being outfitted and readied for sea trials leading up to her commissioning in the first half of 2019.

"The crew of Lyndon B. Johnson looks forward to bringing this great warship honoring our 36th President to life, and we're proud to have the opportunity to be present for this important step in the ship's construction," says Captain Jeremy Gray, prospective commanding officer, DDG 1002. "It is truly impressive to see the ship afloat in the Kennebec River for the first time and we look forward to taking her to sea."

Source: US Navy

6 comments
6 comments
Babaghan
"Directed energy weapons?" Pfft, that's boring. How 'bout fricken laser cannons!
Gizmowiz
God help us if anyone ever wants to name a ship or similar after our 45th President.. that would be sick.
Clipper
A destroyer isn't enough for the 45th potus vincentwolf. The new aircarrier class that will succeed the Ford class should be named after him.
piperTom
I sympathize with the comment made by VincentWolf, but the precedent set by naming a ship after LBJ has bad portent. Among his many faults, LBJ got 50,000 American killed for nothing and he knew is was for nothing. Shame!
benito
1. Hope its shielded against EMP, and can defend against swarm attacks. 2. More, smaller, cheaper destroyers are better than fewer, bigger expensive ones. 3. The crew will be exposed to high levels of electromagnetic radiation. Better give them faraday cage undies...
jetserf
@Clipper Exactly right. A couple of air bases and a space station from the new military branch as well.