The USS Zumwalt, the largest destroyer ever, began sea trials on Monday after leaving the dock of Bath Iron Works in Maine where many of the key systems will be tested on the first vessel of the new stealth class.
The Zumwalt's motor and propulsion system will be worked out along with the ship's handling in preparation for its final trial in April, said
WCSH-TV. The ship is expected to be commissioned on Oct. 15.
The 600-foot ship went to the sea for the first time in December, noted WCSH-TV.
"We took that ship to sea, and I gotta tell you, it was as calm and controlled and as expertly executed as any sea detail surface warrior would be proud of," Navy Rear Adm. David Gale told the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium in January, said the
Bangor Daily News.
"We tested a very complex automated boat handling system right after clearing the sea buoy, we brought up the propulsion plant and, by afternoon of the first day, we were doing 32.8 knots and hard rudders. It performed exquisitely," Gale said.
The USS Zumwalt's unusual angular shape was built to deflect enemy radar. It has a wave-piercing "tumblehome" hull, composite deckhouse, electric propulsion, and new guns, all for $4.4 billion, reported
The Associated Press.
The
Washington Post reported that military officials originally wanted to build 32 ships in the Zumwalt class, but ballooning cost caused some senior Navy officials to try to kill the program. Eventually, the Navy decided to build three – the USS Zumwalt, the USS Michael Monsoor, and the USS Lyndon B. Johnson.
The vessel is expected to be based in San Diego, said the AP.
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