The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) formally joined the US Navy on Saturday. At the North Locust Point, Baltimore, the command of the next-generation destroyer was taken by Captain James A Kirk. The US flag and commissioning pennant was raised after reading the official orders for Captain Kirk.
The latest multi-mission Zumwalt destroyer was completed in nearly five years, with the keel being laid on November 17, 2011, at the Bath Iron Works.
USS Zumwalt is the largest ever destroyer built for the US Navy. The ship has been designed for sea control, deterrence, command and control missions, and power projection. The distinct features of the destroyer include state-of-the-art all-electric propulsion system, advanced computing capabilities, a unique tumblehome stealth design, and high-tech vertical launch missile system.
With 78 megawatts of generating capacity, Zumwalt’s power backup matches that of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The Curtiss-Wright electric generators augmented with a couple of 3.8-MW Rolls-Royce RR4500 turbine generators are driven by a pair of 35.4 megawatts Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines to power up the destroyer.
You can see more images of the ceremony and the destroyer below:
The reports released by the Navy indicate that the power system installed in the Zumwalt will have enough reserve energy to keep a small town running or to power up the next-gen energy beam weapons.
The Naval Secretary Ray Mabus said the Zumwalt destroyer has a class of its own.
“This destroyer, like the others in our fleet, is capable of projecting power, no doubt. The Zumwalt-class is much larger than today’s destroyers with a considerably larger flight deck – enough space to operate host Joint Strike Fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, and unmanned systems and a vertical launch system second to none.”
Zumwalt will undergo weapon systems testing in San Diego. You can take a closer look at the Zumwalt in this video:
