Reply With QuoteExcellent pic, sir. Many thanks.Originally Posted by Halidon
It's enjoyable to see something transition from concept art, to computer model, to real steel.
I have to admit i don't know much on this ship.... but it's an intriguing design....
Excellent pic, sir. Many thanks.
It's enjoyable to see something transition from concept art, to computer model, to real steel.
Or, in this case, composites.
I stand correctedOr, in this case, composites.
Page 28 of this month's DTI has an article on Zumwalt's current standing within the Navy's higher echelons. Adding to what that article discusses, the Flight III Arleigh Burke currently being studied internally is said to essentially be a Zumwalt with AMDR and a Burke's hull. So if both alternatives are sporting roughly the same senor, weapon, propulsion/power, and computing systems it likely comes down to what is preferrable: the cost of continuing production of Zumwalt with its tumblehome (unproven, more expensive) hull form, or the cost of re-designing Burke and those systems to bit the more conventional (proven, cheaper) hull form of that class.
Here's a little (slightly out of date) intro video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwZSY...ature=youtu.be
.... Wow....
Interesting Halidon so the Zumwalt are not completely dead yet, I was under the impression they were only making 3 of them.
There will only be 3 under current plans. But if the Flight III Burke costs start getting out of hand before those 3 are finished you can expect the GAO and some members of Congress to call for more Zumwalts.
The Zumwalts will basically be the Seawolf of destroyers. Both were intended to be the next gen class of sub/destroyer, both were very expensive, both were loaded with advanced tech, and both were cut down to three ships during a defense drawdown (early 90s, late 2000s). Hopefully, just like the Seawolfs technology from the Zumwalts will be used in other future ships. Regardless, even though only a few will be built, I'm very interested in seeing the first come together, and I'm glad it didn't die completely. It will be quite a sight to behold.
Little winter update
The rollout of Ultra 2200, the next big block, out to mate with the hull has apparently been delayed a bit. Was supposed to happen late January but has not, and we'll have to see how long the delay is.
PRobably due to the inclement weather. Look at all the snow flakes above. When you got at least 4000 tons to move, you don't want slippery roadways to compound things in anyway.
Some minor updates. First, the option in BAE's Advanced Gun System contract for the third Zumwalt's guns has been picked up. So despite still having no name, DDG-1002 definitely looks like its going to be built. In honor of that good news, here's a BAE video from when they shipped the first AGS unit out for testing a couple years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5LYP...ature=youtu.be
Second, Burke Flight III costs are apparently soaring as the design is being developed and NAVSEA is increasingly pessimistic that the old DDG-51can accommodate the new Air & Missile Defense Radar, let alone future systems like Railgun or Directed Energy Weapons. If next budget is presented with hard numbers on Flight III showing it costsmore than Zumwalt, and if someone in Congress pays attention, there could be hell to pay.
Now deceased? He died in 1988 of herbicide induced cancer which he got as he was serving as captain (rank LT) of a PBR in the Brown Water Navy. Which his dad was commanding at the same time.
Thanks for the updates Halidon!
Interesting, many thanks.
Are the problems with accommodating AMDR physically locating on the ship or is it a matter of generating enough power?
Both. Then there's the matter of feature-creep. I look at military procurement in the US these days and can't help but think of the Keystone Cops accompanied by Benny Hill.
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