• Balloons fly and the crowd applauds as the US Navy's newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), is brought to life during a commissioning ceremony at North Locust Point in Baltimore. Credit: USN Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Laird.
    Balloons fly and the crowd applauds as the US Navy's newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), is brought to life during a commissioning ceremony at North Locust Point in Baltimore. Credit: USN Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Laird.
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The US Navy's newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) was commissioned into active service Saturday, October 15, at North Locust Point in Baltimore, US.

The striking, stealthy design of the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers, features a revolutionary electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, and the latest warfighting technology and weaponry available. 

"This ship is an example of a larger initiative to increase operational stability and give the US a strategic advantage," US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said. 

According to the USN, the Zumwalt-class destroyer will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing the Navy to evolve with new systems and missions. It does all of this while maintaining its stealth - making this visually imposing ship difficult to find whether close to the shore or far out to sea. 

"USS Zumwalt will challenge adversaries and their way of thinking about how we employ our forces, providing an asymmetric advantage," Secretary Mabus said. "Working with Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, littoral combat ships, and amphibious ships to form adaptive force packages, Zumwalt-class destroyers will use their computing capabilities to make these groups more lethal through increased range, deception, computer integration, and data analysis from various platforms. With its stealth, size, power, and advanced combat systems, this warship will serve as a centerpiece for deterrence and stability in the maritime environment. 

"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."

In addition to its size, the Zumwalt class will be the first Navy warships to utilise an integrated power system that will produce enough power to run current systems, as well as the power required for future weapons, computing, and sensor systems. USS Zumwalt generates approximately 78 megawatts of power, almost as much as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This means the ship can operate all of its systems and still generate enough electricity to power a small town, which provides the extra capacity to accommodate future weapons and computing systems. Combined with its size and power, USS Zumwalt will be able to integrate emerging technologies and new capabilities as they are delivered to the fleet. 

USS Zumwalt was named for Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., a veteran of WWII and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam who "exemplified honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of dedicated naval service". 

As the nineteenth Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Zumwalt's embrace of innovation resulted in a number of successful new programs, including the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and the F-14 Tomcat, all of which had lasting impacts on the warfighting readiness of the Navy. 

USS Zumwalt is scheduled to begin her transit to San Diego, making several port visits along the way. Upon arrival in San Diego, the ship will begin installation of her combat systems, testing and evaluation, and operational integration with the fleet. 

A video of the commissioning ceremony can be viewed here.

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