History of USS Zumwalt in Timeline
The USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers of the US Navy, named after Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Known for its stealth capabilities, it possesses a radar cross-section akin to a small fishing boat, despite its large size. Commissioned in 2016 in Baltimore, the Zumwalt's home port is San Diego, California. A significant modification occurred in late 2024 with the removal of the Advanced Gun System (AGS) and partial replacement with the Integrated Radio Communication and Processing System (IRCPS) weapon system, marking an evolution in its combat capabilities.
1 hour ago : USS Zumwalt Enhanced with Fuel Capacity for Hypersonic Pacific Patrols
The USS Zumwalt received a fuel capacity upgrade to support hypersonic missile patrols in the Pacific. The upgrade enhances its operational range and strategic capabilities in the region.
1983: End of "gun destroyer" sequence
In 1983, DD-997, the last of the Spruance class, Hayler, ended the previous "gun destroyer" sequence.
2001: DD-21 Program Cut
In 2001, Congress cut the DD-21 program by half as part of the SC21 program. To save it, the acquisition program was renamed as DD(X) and heavily reworked.
2007: Funding Allocation Included
In 2007, the initial funding allocation for DDG-1000 was included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
February 2008: $1.4 Billion Contract Awarded
In February 2008, a $1.4 billion contract was awarded to Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
July 2008: Construction Timetable Set
In July 2008, a construction timetable was set for General Dynamics to deliver the ship in April 2013, with a March 2015 target date for Zumwalt to meet her initial operating capability.
February 2009: Full Rate Production Begins
On February 11, 2009, full rate production of the USS Zumwalt officially began.
November 2011: First Section Laid Down
On November 17, 2011, the first section of the ship was laid down on the slipway at Bath Iron Works, by which point, fabrication of the ship was over 60% complete.
2012: Completion and delivery delayed
By 2012 the planned completion and delivery of the vessel was delayed to the 2014 fiscal year.
April 2013: Target Date for Delivery
In July 2008, the construction timetable set a target date for General Dynamics to deliver the ship in April 2013.
October 2013: Naming Ceremony Canceled, Vessel Launched
In October 2013, the naming ceremony planned for October 19th was canceled due to the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, however, the vessel was launched on October 29, 2013.
January 2014: Prepares for Heavy Weather Trials
In January 2014, the USS Zumwalt began preparations for heavy weather trials to assess the ship's reaction to high winds, stormy seas, and adverse weather conditions.
April 2014: Letter of Support from William Shatner
In April 2014, William Shatner, known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, wrote a letter of support to the USS Zumwalt's crew after the ship's first commanding officer, Captain James A. Kirk, attracted media attention.
2014: Planned completion and delivery of the vessel
By 2012 the planned completion and delivery of the vessel was delayed to the 2014 fiscal year.
March 2015: Target Date for Initial Operating Capability
In July 2008, the construction timetable set a target date for Zumwalt to meet her initial operating capability by March 2015.
December 2015: Sea Trial Begins
In December 2015, the USS Zumwalt began her sea trial in preparation for joining the Pacific Fleet.
December 2015: Responded to Coast Guard Call
On December 12, 2015, during sea trials, the USS Zumwalt responded to a US Coast Guard call for assistance for a fishing boat captain experiencing a medical emergency. Zumwalt's crew used their rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) to transfer him to the destroyer.
December 2015: Departure for Sea Trials
On December 7, 2015, the USS Zumwalt departed Bath Iron Works for sea trials, allowing the Navy and contractors to assess the vessel's readiness to join the fleet.
May 2016: Initial Delivery Accepted
On May 20, 2016, the US Navy accepted initial delivery of the USS Zumwalt.
September 2016: Vessel Needs Repairs
In September 2016, it was reported that the vessel needed repairs after the detection of a seawater leak in the ship's auxiliary motor drive oil system.
October 2016: Commissioned in Baltimore
In October 2016, the USS Zumwalt was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland. Her home port is San Diego, California.
November 2016: Lost Propulsion in Panama Canal
On November 21, 2016, the USS Zumwalt lost propulsion in her port shaft while passing through the Panama Canal. Water had intruded in two of the four bearings and both drive shafts failed. Zumwalt struck the lock walls, causing minor cosmetic damage and had to be completed with tugboats. Repairs were done at Vasco Núñez de Balboa Naval Base.
2016: LRLAP Procurement Cancelled
In 2016, the procurement of the Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) was cancelled, and the Navy had no plan to replace it. Since Zumwalt class cannot provide naval gunfire support the Navy has re-purposed the class to surface warfare.
2016: Initial Operating Capability Target
Tests and trials in January 2014 lead to the initial operating capability (IOC) to be reached by 2016.
2017: Shipyard Availability Conducted
In April 2019, Zumwalt departed San Diego for a first operational deployment into the Pacific since the shipyard availability conducted in 2017 and 2018.
2018: Shipyard Availability Conducted
In April 2019, Zumwalt departed San Diego for a first operational deployment into the Pacific since the shipyard availability conducted in 2017 and 2018.
April 2019: First Operational Deployment
In April 2019, the USS Zumwalt departed San Diego for its first operational deployment into the Pacific since the shipyard availability conducted in 2017 and 2018. This included a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
April 2020: Final Delivery Accepted
In April 2020, the Navy accepted final delivery of the USS Zumwalt, preparing for more sea tests.
August 2023: New Homeport in Pascagoula, Mississippi
On August 1, 2023, the USS Zumwalt got underway to her new homeport in Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi for a modernization period and to receive technology upgrades.
2023: AGS Systems Being Replaced
During a refit starting in 2023, the Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) are being replaced by a hypersonic missile system.
December 2024: Modernization Completed
In December 2024, work was completed on the USS Zumwalt and she was refloated having had the two Gun Systems removed. The former forward gun mount was replaced with four launchers intended for the Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) missile, with each canister capable of holding three missiles. The former aft gun mount is reserved for weapons yet to be specified.
2024: AGS Removed and Replaced
In late 2024, the AGS (Advanced Gun System) was removed from the USS Zumwalt and partially replaced with the IRCPS (Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike) weapon system.
April 2026: Fire On Board
On April 22, 2026, the USS Zumwalt suffered a fire on board which injured three sailors while undergoing a modernization period in Ingalls Shipbuilding.
2026: Kyle Carpenter DDG-148
As of 2026, DDG-148 is named Kyle Carpenter, the latest of the named Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
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