The second ship, the Michael Monsoor, will be delivered in November next year, a few months later than the original timeline.
The decision was taken because of the complexity of the project for the class defined as the most powerful in the world.
In March 2015, the leading company Zumwalt is complete at 94%. Both the "Zumwalt" and the second ship "Monsoor" will begin sea trials by the end of the year.
The third and final ship of the class, Lyndon B. Johnson, will be delivered in December of the 2018.
The cost of the entire program is 22 billion dollars. The total cost of procurement for the three ships is estimated at 12,9 billion dollars, approximately 4,3 billion dollars per boat.
The Zumwalt class
Class Zumwalt, the largest and most powerful multi-role destroyer of the United States Navy ever built. The ship was conceived, designed and armed for the war of the future at an exorbitant cost: 4,3 billion dollars per boat, about three times the cost of a current destroyer for a total cost of 12,9 billion dollars for three ships (on the 32 provided at first).
From the 2009 to the 2015, the cost of every single boat has increased by 34,4%. Everything in this ship looks exceptional. Its stealth profile, for example, would make it virtually invisible to radars. Despite being the largest 40% of an Arleigh Burke destroyer, it has such a low Rcs (Radar Cross-Section) that it should look like a harmless fishing boat to enemy radars (or not).
The destroyer Zumwalt reinstates the bell: the maximum width of the ship is on the floating line, while moving upward the hull begins to shrink. Its unusual hull is then designed with wave or wave penetration technology for a maximum speed of 35 knots (56 km / h).
The Zumwalt class is armed with eighty Tomahawk cruise missiles (deployed on various advanced Vls Mk 57 pods, along the entire ship so as not to lose missile ability even if hit), two Ags 155 mm guns, two from 57 mm and advanced Sea Sparrow batteries. The Advanced Gun System or Ags deserves a separate discussion.
He fires eleven-pound rocket-projectiles, with a margin of error (Cep) of 50 meters, at a maximum distance of 154 km. Each unit will have a capacity of 750 bullets. The Ags barrel is water-cooled to prevent overheating, while the rate of fire is ten shots per minute per weapon. The combined firepower of a pair of turrets would give each Zumwalt class destroyer a firepower of twelve M198 field guns.
Within two years, the United States Navy will also equip the Zumwalt with laser defensive systems designed to take down drones and enemy planes and electromagnetic guns capable of firing bullets at hypersonic speed. According to the US Navy, laser technology has been designed to eliminate asymmetric threats such as drones, small planes and motorboats: all potential threats to warships in the Persian Gulf.
Electromagnetic guns have already been tested at a polygon in Virginia. Us Navy data speaks of three kilograms of bullet (3,2 kg for accuracy) shot at the speed of 2,4 km per second. Tungsten bullets reach the target at seven times that of the sound, for a higher power (at a significantly lower cost) to a Tomahawk missile.
This weaponry will give the Zumwalt the role of "true warfighter game changer". On board there will be two Sh-60 / Seahawk helicopters (Lamps Mk III) for anti-submarine warfare and three Mq-8 Fire Scouts, unmanned helicopters developed for armed reconnaissance.
The size of the ship and the power plant capable of producing 78 megawatts of electricity - enough to feed 78 thousands of homes - make it an ideal platform for future weapons such as the electromagnetic cannon.
Fifteen thousand ton ships have a growth margin of 10%, equivalent to more 1500 tons of future technology to be implemented in the system without altering the boat's performance. Finally, the degree of automation achieved would be so high that a crew of 158 members would be enough to drive the ship, half of those required for the current generation of destroyers (an operating life of 35 years could save 280 taxpayers millions of dollars for ship).
The Zumwalt represent the breaking point between the past and the new war scenarios of the future. Domination of any sea Its future electromagnetic armament would enable it to impose "dominion" on any sea and against any enemy.
The Zumwalt can be considered as F-22 (that is why we used the term 'domain', the same and only used to describe US hunting).
Of the 32 ships planned by the US Navy, however, only three will be built. In addition to leader Uss Zumwalt, Uss Michael Monsoor and Uss Lyndon Johnson.
The name of the battle of the Zumwalt is Silver Bullet, "silver bullet".
Franco Iacch
(photo: US Navy - 2012 works below)
