The advancement of technology used in war is mind-blogging. A drone the size of a large insect was an integral part of the plot in the recent movie, "Eye In The Sky." Now comes word of the largest destroyer ever made, the USS Zumwalt.
Built for more than four years in a shipyard in Maine at a cost of $4.4 billion, the Zumwalt, after several years' delay, was recently formally presented to the Navy after months of testing at sea. It's being touted as the most technically advanced warship in history.
The Zumwalt will join the current array of about 430 ships in active and reserve fleets and designated as USS (commissioned), PCU (pre-commissioning unit), USNS (ships owned by the US Navy) and also chartered vessels, designated with the initials MV or SS.
The Zumalt's statistics are hard to comprehend. For starters, despite its mass, the Zumwalt has incredible stealth attributes. According to the Navy, current destroyer profiles are 50 times greater than the Zumwalt.
As a warship, the Zumwalt, 610-feet long, is unsurpassed. It features two 155-millimeter guns that fire projectiles with a range of 72 miles. That's three times farther the current destroyer gun range.
Arguably the most impressive trait of the Zumwalt is its two electric turbines. They will produce 80 megawatts of electricity that will operate the destroyer’s combat systems, propulsion and other systems.
USS Zumwalt named after former admiral
The latest addition to the U.S. fleet, named after Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr., a former Chief of Naval Operations, is actually a fleet of one.
It's expected to operate solo in sensitive areas. But it's also expected to be complemented by other war vessels, including submarines. The Zumwalt has a maximum crew of 130.
Despite its recent unveiling, the Zumwalt has a long way to go before its expected commissioning in October. The destroyer will have further testing and crew certification. If its current schedule is maintained, the Zumwalt will sail from Baltimore, Maryland to its homeport in San Diego, California. Its captain is James Kirk.
