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.
