US Navy christens huge $3 billion destroyer ship USS Zumwalt that appears as a fishing boat on enemy

[JayAtl]

The US Navy on Saturday christened the first of its newest class of destroyers – the more than $3 billion (£1.8 billion), 610-foot (186-metre)-long USS Zumwalt.

Named after the late Admiral Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt, the warship sports advanced technology and a stealthy shape designed to minimise its visibility on enemy radar and reduce the size of its crew.

Among the 15,000-tonne destroyer's cutting-edge features are a composite deckhouse with hidden radar and sensors and an angular shape that officials say will allow it to be confused for a small fishing boat on radars. It also has a wave-piercing hull designed to reduce the ship's wake.

It's the first US ship to use electric propulsion and produces enough power to one day support the futuristic electromagnetic rail gun, which will be tested at sea in 2016.

Rail guns fire a projectile at six or seven times the speed of sound – enough velocity to cause severe damage. The Navy sees them as replacing or supplementing old-school guns.

In the future, it could also be fitted with even more advanced weaponry. This summer, the US Navy plans to test the viability of a laser weapon device in the Persian Gulf. It will be used to shoot down aerial drones at ultra-low cost – it is thought one shot of laser will cost about $1.

US Navy christens huge $3 billion destroyer ship USS Zumwalt that appears as a fishing boat on enemy radar - Americas - World - The Independent

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[Hamartia Antidote]

A fishing boat is still a noticeable blip on radar so I'm having trouble getting too excited about it's smaller return signature. Although it is a humungous ship compared to a fishing vessel.

 

[JayAtl]

A fishing boat is still a noticeable blip on radar so I'm having trouble getting too excited about it's smaller return signature. Although it is a humungous ship compared to a fishing vessel.

how many fishing boats will the enemy go out to investigate?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

how many fishing boats will the enemy go out to investigate?

I would assume during wartime fishing boats would be banned from leaving port.

 

[Thirdfront]

Enemy will find something fishy if they encounter small fishing boat in the middle of any ocean. However, it can easily sneak up to enemy port and unleash hell... small radar signature is always better.....

 

[Huawei]

Meh..

Chinese radars can easily detect this ship and sink it even easier

Just another overrated weapon like the F-117

 

[gambit]

Meh..

Chinese radars can easily detect this ship and sink it even easier

Just another overrated weapon like the F-117

You are correct. All non-Chinese weapons are helpless against 'Chinese physics'.

 

[monitor]

enemy will destroy any fishing boat it get in high see during war time .

 

[SHAMK9]

Thats one sexy mean machine

 

[acid rain]

I would assume during wartime fishing boats would be banned from leaving port.

quite a lot of difference between targeting a fishing boat and a 15000 ton destroyer from BVR.

 

[forcetrip]

Now it all comes down to not only how far away you can shoot your missiles but also how accurate that missiles guidance systems are. Also this fishing boat story could be well placed dis-information.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

enemy will destroy any fishing boat it get in high see during war time .

Lol,u guys are totally missing the point.It has comparable radar signature means it will be as difficult to detect.U can't detect a small fishing boat from huge range.Its radar signature will allow it to close within its own missile distance safely before being seriosuly detected.

 

[airmarshal]

Advancement in technology is a great achievement indeed. But then same type of claims were made about F-117 when it appeared. It was later found out that low tech Czech radars were able to detect the F-117s.

Technology has downside too. F-22 Raptors are reported to undergo expensive maintenance to keep its stealthy paint surface in prime condition.

As technology becomes more mature, perhaps these issues can gradually be addressed.

 

[rott]

@gambit, Does Zumwalt have a specific meaning? Or is it just a name?

 

[scholseys]

@gambit, Does Zumwalt have a specific meaning? Or is it just a name?

Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt, Jr. (November 29, 1920 – January 2, 2000) was an American naval officer and the youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations. As an admiral and later the 19th Chief of Naval Operations, Zumwalt played a major role in U.S. military history, especially during the Vietnam War. A decorated war veteran, Zumwalt reformed U.S. Navy personnel policies in an effort to improve enlisted life and ease racial tensions. After he retired from a 32-year Navy career, he launched an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate.