First Zumwalt class launched

Zumwalt launched at Bath Iron Works shipyard.
Navy photo courtesy General Dynamics

BATH, Maine -- General Dynamics Bath Iron Works successfully launched the Navy's first Zumwalt-class destroyer Monday at the Bath, Maine shipyard. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be the lead ship of the Navy's newest destroyer class, designed for littoral operations and land attack. Construction on the ship began in February 2009, and it's now more than 87 percent complete. It will be delivered late next year. (Source: NNS, 10/29/13) Gulf Coast note: The ship's composite deck and hangar were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Gulfport, Miss. Previous