Stealth destroyer

[Bodhi]

Zumwalt class is nothing more than a technology demonstrator with operational capabilities.  It is going to be used to demonstrate the feasibility new hull design ideas, propulsion technology, weapons technology, and detection minimization.  It also is going to lead the change from large ship groups to single or low number operations. 

[Sabre]

Zumwalt class is nothing more than a technology demonstrator with operational capabilities.  It is going to be used to demonstrate the feasibility new hull design ideas, propulsion technology, weapons technology, and detection minimization.  It also is going to lead the change from large ship groups to single or low number operations. 

Well, it probably is to a certain extent; every new class is, to a certain extent.  But remember; they originally planned to build 12 of these, which makes it more than a simply technology demonstrator.  Zumwalt represents a move to provide the USN a force projection capability that does not revolve around a carrier (an asset type that is shrinking in numbers).  As for why they don't just use a sub, it's because there are still lots of missions, both military and non-military, that modern subs are ill-suited for.  The tin-can navy has seen, and will continue to see, far more action of all kinds than the subs do.  And Mongoose, it's only stealthy until it activates active sensors; then in glows in the dark!

[Bodhi]

The first of the class will have a different propulsion system than the following two.  Beyond cost, the realization that this is a technology demonstrator and that a better ship is in the works are why there will only be three.

[MiloMorai]

Originally 32 ships were planned, with the $9.6 billion research and development costs spread across the class, but as the quantity was reduced to 10, then 3, the cost-per-ship increased dramatically. The cost increase caused the U.S. Navy to identify the program as being in breach of the Nunn–McCurdy Amendment on 1 February 2010.

[mechanic]

Yippee a new way kill each other. 

aint that the sad truth

[FiLtH]

 Captain Kirk will be in command so thats a plus. Ugly mf tho. Looks like a cross between a moniter and a WW1 Dreadnought.

[Bodhi]

Originally 32 ships were planned, with the $9.6 billion research and development costs spread across the class, but as the quantity was reduced to 10, then 3, the cost-per-ship increased dramatically. The cost increase caused the U.S. Navy to identify the program as being in breach of the Nunn–McCurdy Amendment on 1 February 2010.

Milo, The only reason it was in breach of Nunn-McCurdy is because the realized the technology projections were not going to be mature during the production run of the ship, thus the Secretary of Defense could not defend it before Congress.

The "32" number is being pushed down the road as the Zumwalt class is to be nothing more than a deployable technology demonstrator.  Plain and simple.

[Fud]

and the captain is James Kirk 

[MADe]

Something such as this can extend the range of our coastal defense. Possibly intercepting incoming, farther from our shores. We should never place all our eggs in 1 basket, having a wide variety of possible defense capabilities is more desirable.

I would rather spend my tax dollars on this, than life time health care for members of congress.

[Rich46yo]

Something such as this can extend the range of our coastal defense. Possibly intercepting incoming, farther from our shores. We should never place all our eggs in 1 basket, having a wide variety of possible defense capabilities is more desirable.

I would rather spend my tax dollars on this, than life time health care for members of congress.

Incoming what? Its primary mission is Land Attack.

[Ardy123]

Yippee a new way kill each other. 

[Rich46yo]

Yippee a new way kill each other. 

All we are saying, is give peace a chance
All we are saying, is give peace a chance

[MrRiplEy[H]]

(Image removed from quote.)

Yep I can see how the stealth destroyer could have prevented that from happening.

[Rich46yo]

Yep I can see how the stealth destroyer could have prevented that from happening.

Indeed. Terrorism doesnt occur in a vacuum. It has always been sponsored by States whom are not only hostile to America but well armed as well. I wont name them, we arent allowed to venture into politics. But somewhere in the deep recesses of their little minds lies a fear of the conventional power of the US military. Many have been sent to their God by the use of some of the systems that will be found on DDS. Hostile countries think twice before supplying advanced arms to terrorists out of fear of what we might unleash on them.

While its a stretch to link 9/11 to military ship building the point I was making was a weak Military equals a weak America. Which means a weak free world. I bet most got that. Most of all we who have been out in the world, under arms, and know whats out there.

A single Iowa class BB off their shores made the Iraqi's crap goat milk during Gulf-1. DDS will make any future terror sponsoring state crap the same kinda milk, only more of it and from a different goat, cause its far more powerful and precise then Iowa. As well as having the RCS of the USS Minnow with Gilligan on board. Eventually it's future Hulls will sport rail gun and Laser tech.

Its the USN thats the big stick on the worlds oceans. And the fear of it made the states who quietly let Al Qaeda operate, raise money and troops, think twice about their policies. We havnt really unleashed it in 68 years and I wouldnt want to be on the receiving end when we do because now we do it with a CEP of 5 meters, up to 1,000 miles inland, with a success rate of at least 95%.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Indeed. Terrorism doesnt occur in a vacuum. It has always been sponsored by States whom are not only hostile to America but well armed as well. I wont name them, we arent allowed to venture into politics. But somewhere in the deep recesses of their little minds lies a fear of the conventional power of the US military. Many have been sent to their God by the use of some of the systems that will be found on DDS. Hostile countries think twice before supplying advanced arms to terrorists out of fear of what we might unleash on them.

While its a stretch to link 9/11 to military ship building the point I was making was a weak Military equals a weak America. Which means a weak free world. I bet most got that. Most of all we who have been out in the world, under arms, and know whats out there.

A single Iowa class BB off their shores made the Iraqi's crap goat milk during Gulf-1. DDS will make any future terror sponsoring state crap the same kinda milk, only more of it and from a different goat, cause its far more powerful and precise then Iowa. As well as having the RCS of the USS Minnow with Gilligan on board. Eventually it's future Hulls will sport rail gun and Laser tech.

Its the USN thats the big stick on the worlds oceans. And the fear of it made the states who quietly let Al Qaeda operate, raise money and troops, think twice about their policies. We havnt really unleashed it in 68 years and I wouldnt want to be on the receiving end when we do because now we do it with a CEP of 5 meters, up to 1,000 miles inland, with a success rate of at least 95%.

Actually it's just the opposite. The way US has been 'world policeing' around has created animosity against it and the little people fight back the way they can. If the US would have let the other world be you wouldn't have any problems with terrorists right now (my personal guess).