From Department of Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen the future USS
Zumwalt (DDG 1000) April 12, during a ceremony at General Dynamics-Bath Iron
Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.
The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief
of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. "Bud" Zumwalt Jr., who
served as the 19th CNO from 1970-1974.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony's
principal address. In accordance with Navy tradition, the ship's co-sponsors
Ann Zumwalt and Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers, daughters of Zumwalt, will break a
bottle of sparkling wine across the ship's bow.
"The christening of the future USS Zumwalt represents
the beginning of another era of service for this great name," said Mabus.
"Just as Admiral Elmo R. "Bud" Zumwalt helped shape our nation's
Navy as the 19th chief of naval operations, DDG 1000 will help shape the future
of surface combatants. The sophisticated new technology incorporated aboard
this ship, combined with its multi-mission capabilities, will ensure it is a
relevant and integral part of our battle force for years to come. This day,
however, would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the
hundreds of men and women of our nation's industrial base who worked so
diligently to help us reach this exciting moment."
Zumwalt was a veteran of World War II, as well as the Korean
and Vietnam Wars. Following the World War II Battle for Leyte Gulf, he was
awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for his valorous actions
aboard the USS Robinson. During the Vietnam War, he served as commander naval
forces, Vietnam before being nominated by President Richard Nixon to become CNO
in July of 1970. He is credited with implementing a series of policies intended
to improve opportunities within the Navy for minorities and women during his
tenure as CNO.
Zumwalt died Jan. 2, 2000. During his eulogy, President Bill
Clinton described Zumwalt as the "conscience" of the Navy.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer represents the next-generation
of multi-mission surface combatants and will enable access in the open ocean,
littoral and ashore. The Navy has procured three Zumwalt-class destroyers.
The ship includes new technologies that deliver capability
now and serve as a springboard for incorporation into future ship classes. DDG
1000 is the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to employ an innovative and
highly survivable Integrated Power System which will provide power to
propulsion, ship's service, and combat system loads from the same gas turbine
prime movers. DDG 1000's power allocation flexibility allows for potentially
significant energy savings and is well-suited to enable future high energy
weapons and sensors.
The ship features two advanced gun systems firing long-range
land attack projectiles that reach up to 63 nautical miles, providing
precision, high volume and persistent fire support to forces ashore, along with
an approximate five-fold improvement in naval surface fire range. DDG 1000 will
employ active and passive sensors and a multi-function radar capable of
conducting area air surveillance, including over-land, throughout the extremely
difficult and cluttered sea-land interface.
Construction on Zumwalt commenced in February 2009, with the
keel laying ceremony held in November 2011, and ship launch successfully
completed in October 2013. Zumwalt is 610 feet long is with a displacement of
more than 15,000 tons when fully loaded. The ship is expected to join the fleet
in 2016.
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