After undergoing sea trials in December, the Zumwalt (DDG-1000) destroyer is expected to undergo builder’s trials in February, according to a Jane’s report issued on Monday.
Lt. Cmdr. Hayley Sims, a Navy spokeswoman, could not confirm the February trials on Tuesday, but noted the reasons were mostly weather-related.
“With the weather, we haven’t gotten confirmation,” she said.
Sims also said a delivery date of April 2016 is anticipated for the destroyer, whose home port will be San Diego, California.
Efforts to reach Bath Iron Works spokesman Matt Wickenheiser were unsuccessful on Tuesday.
In December, the Zumwalt departed Bath Iron Works for a series of trials that would demonstrate the ship’s major hull, mechanical and electrical systems.
“Primary risk reduction objectives were successfully met and, as with any trials, the Navy learned a great deal about ship performance during the more than 100 hours of extensive testing,” Sims said later in an email. “The ship is following a test driven schedule and will get underway for additional trials and test events contingent upon the analysis of the initial and subsequent underway periods.”
Earlier in the fall, the destroyer had also undergone a series of “fast cruises” to test the crew and key systems in preparation for the December trials.
The vessel is the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyer program, as two other destroyers are also in the process of being built at the Bath shipyard. Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is currently 84 percent complete, while the Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is 43 percent complete, according to Sims.
The ship is named for Adm. Elmo “Bud” Russell Zumwalt Jr., who served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years, during which he also served in three wars.
dkim@timesrecord.com
The first of three
• THE VESSEL is the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyer program, as two other destroyers are also in the process of being built at BIW. Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is currently 84 percent complete, while the Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is 43 percent complete.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less