Home Americas US Navy sets up next-generation destroyer (DDG(X)) program office

US Navy sets up next-generation destroyer (DDG(X)) program office

Zumwalt underway with Ticonderoga-class cruiser and LCS
US Navy file photo of destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) steaming in formation with littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) and cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52).

The US Navy has established the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG(X)) program office that will be responsible for delivering a next-generation destroyer that will succeed the Arleigh Burke-class ships.

Capt. David Hart is assigned as the Major Program Manager and Katherine Connelly as the Deputy Program Manager. DDG(X) leadership is tasked with developing an acquisition strategy, a design/technical data package and ship construction, testing, fleet introduction and sustainment plans.

“The Guided Missile Destroyer will provide the flexibility and margins necessary to succeed the DDG-51 class as the Navy’s next enduring large surface combatant combining the DDG 51 FLT III combat systems elements with a new hull form, an efficient Integrated Power System and greater endurance reducing the fleet logistics burden,” the navy said in a release.

The establishment of the program office is the latest in a series of attempts over the last years to establish a path forward for the replacement of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers.

As announced by the service, DDG(X) is expected to pair the Aegis combat system with the integrated electric propulsion system first introduced for the Zumwalt-class destroyers.

The service is already undertaking conceptual designs in cooperation with Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, the two yards building the Arleigh Burke- and Zumwalt-class destroyers.

This collaboration will continue into fiscal year 2022 with the start of Preliminary Design. A Detail Design is scheduled for fiscal year 2026, while the start of construction is expected in fiscal year 2028.