The US Navy is not rushing to move onto the next-generation destroyer program, which is referred to as DDG (X), as reported by Defense News. In addition, the US Navy will need to wait until a design and the technology is ready.
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NASA engineers inspect the Orion capsule in the well deck of the USS Portland, after being successfully secured after its splash down the previous day, off the coast of California, on December 12, 2022. -
With this, they will likely continue building DDG Flight IIIs for a long period. This also reflects the good discipline they are trying to bring to the major acquisition programs to ensure better cost estimates upfront and maturing key components in the lab before they commit to buying and fielding a platform.
A Lot of Discipline
The US Navy plans three major new programs to create a pileup of cost and risk for the service in the early 2030s. DDG(X) is set to replace the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, while an SSN(X) will replace the Virginia-class attack submarines. Finally, the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter will replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
Previously, the programs were on track to enter the design and construction phase, but the US Navy said that they would not move on an artificial timeline until the technology was right.
Which Would Go First?
With this latest announcement, nobody really knows which one would go first in the fleet. There is still a lot to be determined yet, whether it will be the DDG(X), SSN(X), or NGAD. It is also worth noting that the firm has already made huge investments in F-35, and they have been using the lessons in that development for two decades now.
The US Navy wants to stay realistic about how fast they should move forward before they can commit to a major ACAT I program. In addition, the Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyers come with an upgraded radar and combat system, unlike the previous flights of the ship. However, the hill is running out of space and power-generation capacity, which limits the US Navy's ability to field new power-hungry sensors and weapons.
The US Navy also plans to purchase two destroyers yearly for the coming years. It also requested authority from Congress to sign a five-year contract with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding for nine ships with an option for a 10th.
However, with all the changes in technology, the size of the design could grow larger and could also mean that the US Navy is looking to redesign the superstructure, which is one of the larger components of the ship. While this is a possibility and the most likely option, the US Navy is still focused on the Arleigh Burke destroyers and the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter.
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