DD(X)
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The DD(X) is a future class of United States Navy destroyer. Among U.S. warships in development, the DD(X) is to be preceded by the Littoral Combat Ship and followed by the CG(X) cruiser and CVNX aircraft carrier.
The DD(X) features a low radar profile and an integrated power system, which can send electricity to the electric drive motors or weapons systems, which may someday include rail guns. The DD(X) is being designed to require a smaller crew and be cheaper to operate than comparable warships.
Originally known as the DD-21, the class was renamed in 2004 when its acquisition program was reworked. According to GAO's September 2004 report (http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-973), milestones include:
- Formal program launch, April 2002.
- Preliminary design review, March 2004.
- Lead ship authorized, March 2005.
- Critical design review, August 2005.
- Start fabrication, June 2007.
- First ship launched, June 2010.
The name and hull number of the first DD(X) have yet to be decided. USS Hayler (DD-997) (1982) was the last Spruance-class destroyer, and DDG-112 (2010) is to be the last Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. DD-21 originally stood for "21st Century Destroyer" until 1999 when President Clinton's defense department named the first destroyer DD-21 USS Zumwalt, a name and hull number which has since been removed from the records. It is highly unlikely that the lead ship of DD(X) will be named for Admiral Elmo Zumwalt.
Specifications
- Length: 600 ft (183 m)
- Beam: 79.1 ft (24.1 m)
- Draft: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
- Speed: 30.3 kts (56 km/h)
- Displacement: 14,064 LT
- Power: 78 MW
- Crew Size: 150