New US Navy destroyer

[Landlubber]

Looks...eerie. Almost like something from the far future:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/politics/gallery/uss-zumwalt/index.html

[Ruckdog]

It certainly looks futuristic!  Unfortunately like many new weapon systems the DDG-1000 is way over budget and way behind schedule. I'm curious to see how she does on trials and in service; several naval architects have expressed reservations about the stability and sea-keeping abilities of the Zummwalt hull form.

[Stephan]

One of the guys I've worked with over the years is a retired Navy O-6 who works for the US Naval Observatory.  He was part of the government team that set requirements and performed oversight for this ship.  They really pushed the envelope on this development, which is always risky, but if even a portion of the advances work and can be integrated into future, less ambitious designs, I think it will pay off.

[Dakkar]

They'll be fine as long as they don't name one "The SeaQuest" ... ;-)

[Stephan]

We all just want to see what happens when they mount the rail gun!

[captainrockman]

I get an RSN vibe from this. It also looks a bit like some of the EIMC frigates.

[Creon]

I saw her in drydock at Bath.  Very interesting looking.  I hope good things for the design.

[Andrewchristlieb]

Really, no ones commented on Captain Kirk yet? For shame... It's an interesting ship, hopefully she does well out there.

[Landlubber]

Yeah, I saw that about the Captain Kirk. I'll bet his instructors had a field day with that name.

[Dakkar]

"Kirk! Drop and give me 20 Dropkicks!"

[Ruckdog]

Funnily enough, there is a completely different CAPT Kirk, USN that works in the same branch of the OPNAV staff that I do!

Anyway, the DDG-1000s are a very interesting design. It is starting to look like they will be sort of equivalent to the Seawolf-class SSNs, in that they are going to be purchased only in small numbers, and whose biggest contribution will be as a validation of advanced tech. That will take a while, though. Based on what I've heard, it will probably be around 2020 before the Zummwalt herself is fully combat-capable, what with all the testing, integration, and upgrades they need to do to her systems.

[Ruckdog]

Found this article this morning! Gives a good, brief run-down of the Zummwalt and other innovative warship designs from the last few hundred years:

http://warisboring.com/articles/historys-most-innovative-warships/