DDG-1000 underwent builder's trials last month and her Captain is praising it's performance. Looking forward to videos of the ship being put through it's paces.
SEAPOWER Magazine Online
Zumwalt Skipper: ‘This Ship Handled Marvelously’
By RICHARD R. BURGESS, Managing Editor
ARLINGTON, Va. — The commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit for the Navy’s new class of guided-missile destroyer said the ship performed well on its initial builder’s trials.
“The ship handled marvelously,” said Capt. James A. Kirk, whose crew took the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) to sea Dec. 13-17.
Kirk answered questions Jan. 14 in response to reporters at a presentation at the Surface Navy Association National Symposium, appearing with several of his crew along with Rear Adm. (select) Jim Downey, program manager for the Zumwalt class.
During the trials, Zumwalt exercised its propulsion system, going to full power ahead and astern and making turns at full rudder.
Using photographs, Downey showed that the ship was stable through turns at full rudder at a 7.5-degree list, about half of what a typical destroyer would experience.
“I’ve been very confident about the hull, very stable,” Downey said. “The ship turns very quickly. The faster it goes, the better it responds.”
More at the link.