Zumwalts have no ‘big gun’ weaponry

The futuristic Zumwalt-class destroyers are years away from being ready for combat, but the Navy still don’t have a load for its “big gun” weaponry. In 2016, the Navy canceled plans to purchase the long-range land attack projectile (LRLAP) for DDG 1000s, designed to be fired from the ship's massive 155mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) weapon, and at a pricey cost of some $800K per round. The ship is expected to reach operational capability by FY 2020, but there’s still no substitute. Capt. Kevin Smith, program manager for DDG-1000, said the Navy continues to watch industry for a solution. Each of the three DDGs, built at Bath (Maine) Iron Works, cost about $4B. Zumwalt was commissioned in 2016; Michael Monsoor is expected in March; and Lyndon B. Johnson is set for delivery by 2020. The first commanding officer of the Zumwalt, Capt. James Kirk, indicated that the purpose of the ship is “going to be looking at shifting the mission set … to a (long-range) surface strike, land-and -sea-strike surface platform," he said. That’s a contrast to its previous focus on being on suppressive firing from close to land. The Zumwalts are not without weapons: Sea Sparrows; tactical Tomahawks; and anti-submarine missiles; plus a pair of 30mm chain guns. Officials have discussed the possibility of arming AGS with a hypervelocity projectile, like the electromagnetic railgun being tested for a second time by the Navy. A decision to move forward has yet to be made. (Military.com 01/12/18) Gulf Coast Note: In 2006, the Navy funded two ships – one to be built at Ingalls in Pascagoula, Miss., and one at BIW. Ingalls was awarded a $90M contract modification for materials and production planning in November 2007. In February 2008, BIW was awarded a contract for DDG 1000. Ingalls was awarded a contract for the construction of DDG 1001, USS Monsoor.