Key Points – The US Navy’s DDG(X) next-generation destroyer program, slated to succeed the Arleigh Burke-class, now projects first ship procurement in FY2032, a delay from earlier targets. It would be far more powerful than anything Russia could sail today or shortly.
-This large surface combatant (around 13,500 tons) will incorporate Flight III DDG-51 Aegis combat system elements but with significantly enhanced growth margins for future capabilities like directed energy weapons and hypersonic missiles (via 12 large missile cells potentially replacing 32 standard VLS cells).
-Key design features include an Integrated Power System (IPS) to support these advanced systems, reduced signatures for improved survivability, increased range, and extensive automation to reduce crew size and enhance operational efficiency.
The Latest With the DDG(X) Destroyer
The DDG(X) will be the Navy’s future enduring large surface combatant and will follow the successful Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) program which has been in production for more than four decades.
In order to align functional efforts with mission priorities, the PEO Ships’ Electric Ships program office has now been folded into PMS 460, enabling the DDG(X) program office to benefit from the larger body of expertise within that organization in developing and implementing an Integrated Power Systemn IPS. The IPS technology is one of the fundamental technologies that is the key to these future surface combatant ships.
The DDG(X) program office is now responsible for developing an acquisition strategy, design and technical data package, and plans for ship construction, testing, fleet introduction and sustainment.
In FY 2021, the Navy had been maintaining the Conceptual Design efforts for DDG(X). It had begun collaboration with both DDG 51 shipyards to meet targets for cost, schedule, and performance mandated by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).
These collaborative efforts continued in FY 2022 with the initiation of the Preliminary Design phase. This included the increased collaboration with both shipbuilders and the surface combatant industrial base. These efforts continue and are programmed to produce the first DDG(X) by FY 2028.
DDG(X): Lead Ship Procurement and Design Parameters
Following some issues related to introducing hypersonic weapons onto the DDG(X) and the increased payload, the Navy is now projecting procurement of the first DDG(X) in FY2032.
(This date has been back and forth and could easily change again as the programme passes through its validation phases.)
Procurement of DDG-51s—the design LSC currently procured by the Navy—would, in theory, end sometime after procurement of the DDG(X) models begins.
However, Navy officials have stated that they would like to see a three-year overlap between the start of DDG(X) procurement and the end of DDG-51 procurement, which may be problematic if the program slips to the right.
Some of the complications are called out in an October 2023 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report regarding the Navy’s FY2024 30-year shipbuilding plan stated that “the Navy has indicated that the initial [DDG(X)] design prescribes a displacement of 13,500 tons,” which would be about 39 per cent greater than the 9,700-ton Flight III DDG-51 design.”
“The Navy envisages the DDG(X) as having (1) Flight III DDG-51 Aegis combat system elements; (2) more growth margin than the Flight III DDG-51 design, meaning more space, weight-carrying capacity, electrical power, and cooling capacity (aka SWAP-C) for accepting additional or higher-power equipment and weapons (including directed-energy weapons) over the ship’s service life; (3) an integrated power system (IPS); (4) reduced vulnerability due to reduced infrared, acoustic, and underwater electromagnetic signatures; (5) increased cruising range and time on station; and (6) increased weapon capacity.”
Growing Payload Capacity and New Systems Design
The Navy also states that the baseline DDG(X) design, like the Flight III DDG-51 design, will include 96 standard Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells, with an ability to incorporate 12 large missile launch cells in place of 32 of the 96 standard VLS cells.
The ship’s missile load will also include two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers and possibly an option for an additional mid-body hull section to be added during the production process. That section, called the Destroyer Payload Module, would provide additional payload capacity.
The Navy projects that automation is another key DDG(X) program aspect.
Integrating autonomous systems and advanced control technologies will permit a reduction in crew sizes and will enhance operational efficiency.
Automated systems will manage everything from propulsion to combat operations, allowing the destroyer to respond more quickly and effectively to threats. This level of automation will also ease the burden on personnel.
In addition to other innovations, the Navy is exploring different propulsion options, including electric drive, to enhance the ship’s capabilities and efficiency.
About the Author:
Reuben F. Johnson is a survivor of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and is an Expert on Foreign Military Affairs with the Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego in Warsaw. He has been a consultant to the Pentagon, several NATO governments and the Australian government in the fields of defense technology and weapon systems design. Over the past 30 years he has resided in and reported from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China and Australia.
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