It is the newest ship and the proud of the US Navy.
The USS Zumwalt is with $ 4.4 billion invested as well the most expensive destroyer ever built.
Now the magic ship has problems, stopped and has to be repaired in Panama.
The ship is named in honor of Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., former chief of naval operations (CNO) from 1970 to 1974. A veteran of World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, Adm. Zumwalt exemplified honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of dedicated naval service, earning a Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He passed away in 2000 at the age of 79.
During his time as CNO, Adm. Zumwalt embraced technological innovation and advocated a number of successful programs including the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and the F-14 Tomcat, all of which yielded long-term benefits to the warfighting readiness of the Navy.
Perhaps most importantly, Adm. Zumwalt was a social reformer who recognized the primary force-multiplier of the U.S. Navy continued to be its sailors, and as such, began quality of life improvements throughout the fleet, including the institutionalization of equality for minorities and women. He was considered a “thinking officer” who was devoted to sailors and creating an environment where everyone was treated equally – a legacy that can be seen today in the diversity of the fleet. His “one Navy” mentality reminds today’s sailors that taking care of our warfighters ensures the Navy remains tough, bold and ready.
“DDG-1000 is one of the most innovative and technologically-advanced ships our Navy has built and it is this spirit of innovation, this commitment to forward thinking and the ability of our Navy and its sailors to see beyond the horizon that we honor as we commission the USS Zumwalt,” said the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy in October 2015. “Just as DDG-1000 is the first of its class, so too was Adm. Elmo Zumwalt.”
Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., commander of US Pacific Command, said: “If Batman had a ship, it would be the USS Zumwalt.”
- Zumwalt is the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers designed to strengthen naval power. The ships are capable of performing critical maritime missions and they enhance the Navy’s ability to provide deterrence, power projection and sea control. Stealthy, powerful and lethal, Zumwalt’s integration into the fleet will provide a vital link from the US Navy’s current needs to its future capabilities.
- The destroyer needs only a very small crew. Compared with about 300 sailors needed for similar warships, the Zumwalt will be crewed by 147 officers and enlisted personnel and a 28-person aviation detachment. This much smaller crew is made possible by advanced automated systems which make it much easier and much more effective for the sailor to operate.
- Displacement: 15,995 metric tons. Length: 610 feet. Beam: 80.7 feet. Draft: 27.6 feet
- Sustained speed: 30 knots. Crew: 147 plus 28-person aviation detachment.
- Armaments: 80 Advanced Vertical Launch System cells, 2 155 millimeter Advanced Gun System (AGS), 2 30 millimeter Close In Guns.
- The Zumwalt-class is much larger than today’s destroyers, fielding a considerably larger flight deck and aviation facility – space to operate with F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, and unmanned systems to execute a wider array of surface, aviation, and undersea missions that deliver more manpower, firepower, and computing power to the fight. Zumwalt’s Vertical Launch System (VLS) – one way the ship will be able to fight and defend itself – features VLS cells physically larger than similar cells on today’s ships, allowing this class to fire larger and more advanced land and anti-ship missiles in the future.
- In addition to its size, the Zumwalt-class will be the first Navy warships to utlilize an integrated power system that will produce large amounts of power that run current systems but are also capable of powering future weapons, computing and sensor systems. The Zumwalt generates approximately 78 megawatts of power – nearly what a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier generates. This means the ship can operate all of its systems and still generate enough electricity to power a small town.
- The Zumwalt is equipped with sharp angles and weaponry concealed behind flat surfaces designed to be more difficult to spot on radar.
- The Navy’s most advanced destroyer is now awaiting repairs in Panama due to engineering problems that occurred while it was crossing the Panama Canal.
- The issue occurred Monday while the Zumwalt was on its way to its new homeport of San Diego where it was to join the US Third Fleet, which is responsible for the Pacific Ocean.
- The commander of the US Third Fleet, Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, directed the ship to remain at ex-Naval Station Rodman in Panama to determine what caused the malfunction.
- The Navy planned to order over 20 of theses new destroyers but cost overruns to $ 4.4 billion each and only three ships were ordered.