USA launches destroyer of the future

The US-based Bath Iron Works shipyard launched the first U.S. destroyer of the future On October 29. The new ship was called Zumwalt.

The construction of the new destroyer was started in 2010. The ship, being built with use of stealth technology, will be named in honor of Admiral Elmo Russell Zumwalt Jr., who commanded the naval operations of the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1974.

The transfer of the destroyer to the military is scheduled for 2014. Zumwalt will be the largest destroyer-class vessel in the U.S. Navy.

The US works to build two other destroyers of Zumwalt class: DDG-1001 Michael Monsour and DDG-1002 Lyndon Johnson. They will be delivered to the Navy in 2016 and 2018 respectively. 

Zumwalt destroyers will be able to develop the speed of up to 30 knots. They will be armed with 20 launchers Mk. 57 VLS for 80 missiles, two 155-mm guns and two anti-aircraft guns One SH-60 Sea Hawk and three MQ-8 Fire Scout droned will be based on the deck of the vessel. The vessels are designed to strike pin-point strikes on coast targets.