The Navy on Friday accepted delivery of the next-generation guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt and announced it will arrive in San Diego late this year.
The futuristic, angular ship features quiet, all-electric propulsion, placement of 80 rocket launch tubes around the perimeter of the vessel, and two advanced guns capable of firing a projectile 63 nautical miles.
“Zumwalt’s crew has diligently trained for months in preparation of this day and they are ready and excited to take charge of this ship on behalf of the U.S. Navy,” said Capt. James Kirk.
Construction of the Zumwalt began in 2009 and the ship was launched in 2013. Currently, it is conducting hull, mechanical, and electrical tests and trials with a subsequent period to follow for combat and mission system equipment installation, activation, and testing.
San Diego was chosen for the new ship’s home port because the Navy wants its most advanced ships focused on the Asia-Pacific region.
The DDG 1000 is the lead ship of a new class. Originally 32 were planned, but only 2 others, the Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B. Johnson, are currently in production.
