BATH
While traversing the Panama Canal, the USS Zumwalt suffered an engineering casualty and had to be towed to a berth in Panama.
As first reported by Defense News, Third Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Ryan Perry stated: “Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, US Third Fleet, has directed USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) to remain at ex-Naval Station Rodman in Panama to address engineering issues that occurred while transiting the Panama Canal. The timeline for repairs is being determined now, in direct coordination with Naval Sea Systems and Naval Surface Forces. The schedule for the ship will remain flexible to enable testing and evaluation in order to ensure the ship’s safe transit to her new homeport in San Diego.”
The incident occurred on Monday as the Zumwalt was traveling to its assigned homeport in San Diego, having been commissioned in Baltimore in mid-October. This is not the first engineering problem encountered by the Zumwalt over the course of its journey from Bath to California. Prior to the commissioning ceremony, the vessel suffered an engineering casualty when the crew discovered a saltwater leak in the propulsion system. The approximately $4 billion Navy destroyer was able to be repaired prior to the commissioning, after which it began its southern journey to the Panama Canal, where it broke down and had to be towed to safety.
It’s unclear when the ship will now arrive in San Diego. Once there, the Zumwalt will undergo a nearly year-long installation and subsequent testing of its combat systems. However, the Navy still needs to find replacement ammo for the ship’s two 155 millimeter Advanced Gun Systems. The rocket-powered Long Range Land Attack Projectile that were supposed to be used by the ship have been scrapped due to the $800,000 per round price tag.
The Zumwalt is the first of three highly advanced guided missile destroyers to be built by Bath Iron Works. The 610-foot-long, 16,000-ton destroyer destroyer features an assortment of stealth technologies, an all electric integrated power system, and a unique tumblehome wave-piercing hull.
Two additional Zumwalt-class ships are currently under construction at BIW: the future USS Michael Monsoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson.
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