DDG(X)

DDG(X) concept as presented in the 2022 Surface Navy Association symposium
Class overview
Name	DDG(X)
Operators	United States Navy
Preceded by	Ticonderoga class Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
Built	2028 (planned)
General characteristics
Type	Destroyer
Tonnage	10,000+ tons
Propulsion	Integrated Electric Propulsion
Sensors and processing systems	AN/SPY-6(V)1 AESA 3D radar AN/SPQ-9B fire control radar
Armament	5-inch (127-mm)/62 cal Mk. 45 Mod. 4 4 × 32 Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) cells (swappable with larger VLS systems) Two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile launchers Two Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes 150/600kW lasers (possible upgrade)
Aviation facilities	Flight deck and enclosed hangar

The DDG(X) program, also known as the Next-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer program, is a United States Navy program to develop a class of surface combatant vessels to succeed its 22 Flight II Ticonderoga-class cruisers and older flights of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.^[1] The program is the culmination of the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) initiative that followed the cancellation of CG(X), curtailed procurement of the Zumwalt-class destroyer, and the eventual need for replacing current guided missile cruisers and destroyers. The ships will incorporate more powerful sensor systems and have greater space and weight margins for future growth.^[2][3]

History[]

With the cancellation of the CG(X) in 2010, the U.S. Navy embarked on new studies and programs for the future of the air defense role fulfilled by the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. Due to the cruisers being built on the Spruance-class destroyer hulls, they had limited upgrade potential due to the space, weight, and power margins.^[4][5] Meanwhile, the procurement of the Zumwalt-class destroyers was severely curtailed due to high costs and a renewed emphasis on air and missile defense for larger combatants.^[6] Eventually, the Navy chose to upgrade the Ticonderogas and procure the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with the enhanced AN/SPY-6 and improved combat systems to supplement the Ticonderogas for air and missile defense; meanwhile a Future Surface Combatant (FSC) would eventually replace the Ticonderoga-class, which will reach the end of their service lives in the 2020s, as well as older flights of the Arleigh Burke-class.^[7] The FSC evolved into the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) program, which became the DDG(X) with the program office established in June 2021.^[8][9] In February 2022, Gibbs & Cox was contracted to provide design and engineering support.^[10]

Design[]

DDG(X) technical-system details

Hull[]

Various hull configurations are currently being tested at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock and NSWC Philadelphia. A concept presented at the 2022 Surface Warfare Symposium depicts an angular hullform with a conventional bow, with a superstructure reminiscent of the Zumwalt-class destroyer. Future vessels of the class may be lengthened with a payload module for additional capabilities.^[2]

Propulsion[]

The DDG(X) will use integrated electric propulsion (IEP) as employed on the Zumwalt-class, with 50% greater range, 120% greater time on station, and 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to current U.S. Navy destroyers.^[2]

Sensors[]

The sensors will initially be enlarged variants of the AN/SPY-6 radar mounted on the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The hull is designed with provisions for upgraded sensors in the future, including larger radar arrays.^[2]

Weapons[]

The vessels will be initially fitted with 32-cell blocks of the Mk. 41 VLS, with the concept image of the hull showing four such blocks. In lieu of the Mk. 41 block, a 12-cell block of larger launchers for hypersonic missiles can also be accepted. The concept image also shows the vessel mounting a 5-inch (127-mm)/62 cal Mk. 45 Mod. 4 main gun. Upgraded versions of the class may also incorporate directed energy weapons, with lasers ranging from 150 to 600 kW.^[2]

See also[]

• Cruiser Baseline
• CG(X)
• Constellation-class frigate (FFG(X))

References[]