_SNA_2022.png) DDG(X) concept as presented in the 2022 Surface Navy Association symposium | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | DDG(X) |
| Operators |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by | |
| Built | 2032 (planned)[1] |
| General characteristics (conceptual) | |
| Type | Guided-missile destroyer |
| Tonnage | 13,290 long tons (13,500 t) |
| Propulsion | Integrated Power System |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aviation facilities | Flight deck and enclosedhangar |
TheDDG(X) orNext-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer program of theUnited States Navy aims to develop a class of surface combatants to succeed 22 Flight IITiconderoga-classcruisers and 28 Flight I/IIArleigh Burke-classdestroyers.[2][3] The program is the culmination of theLarge Surface Combatant (LSC) initiative that followed the cancellation ofCG(X) and curtailing of the procurement of theZumwalt-classdestroyers. The ships will become the principal large surface combatants of the U.S. Navy. Compared to their predecessors, they will incorporate more powerful sensors and have more room and weight margin for growth.[4][5]
With the cancellation of the CG(X) in 2010, the U.S. Navy embarked on new studies and programs for the future of the air defense role fulfilled by theTiconderoga-class cruisers. Because the cruisers were built on theSpruance-class destroyer hulls, they had limited upgrade potential due to space, weight, and power margins.[6][7]
Meanwhile, the procurement of theZumwalt-class destroyers was severely curtailed due to high costs and a renewed emphasis on air and missile defense for larger combatants.[8] Eventually, the Navy chose to upgrade theTiconderogas and procure the Flight IIIArleigh Burke-class destroyers with the enhancedAN/SPY-6 and improved combat systems to supplement theTiconderogas for air and missile defense.[citation needed]
The Navy also launched studies into a Future Surface Combatant (FSC) to replace theTiconderoga-class—which will reach the end of their service lives in the 2020s—as well as older flights of theArleigh Burke class.[9] The FSC evolved into the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) program, which became the DDG(X). The DDG(X) program office was established in June 2021.[10][11] In February 2022,Gibbs & Cox was contracted to provide design and engineering support.[12] The Navy is retaining the lead design role.[13]
Various hull configurations are currently being tested atNaval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock and NSWC Philadelphia. A concept presented at the 2022 Surface Warfare Symposium depicts an angular hull form with displacement of 13,290 long tons (13,500 t), a conventional bow and a superstructure reminiscent of theZumwalt-class destroyer. Future vessels of the class may be lengthened with a payload module for additional capabilities.[4][14]
The DDG(X) hull design will incorporate lessons and elements from both theArleigh Burke andZumwalt designs. The vessels will be able to accommodate larger missile launch systems, improved survivability, and space, weight, power, and cooling margins for future growth. As the ships will replace theTiconderoga-class cruisers, they will have air defense command and control facilities and accommodations for an admiral's staff.[15]
The DDG(X) will useIntegrated Power System (IPS), a modern integrated turboelectric drive as employed on theZumwalt class. The vessels are expected to have 50% greater range, a 120% greater time on station, and a 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to current U.S. Navy destroyers.[4]
The sensors will initially be enlarged variants of theAN/SPY-6 radar mounted on the Flight IIIArleigh Burke-class destroyers. The hull is designed with provisions for upgraded sensors in the future, including larger radar arrays.[4]
The Navy states that the baseline DDG(X) design, like theFlight III DDG-51 design, is to include 96 standard VerticalLaunch System (VLS) cells, with an ability to incorporate12 large missile launch cells in place of 32 of the 96standard VLS cells.[16] The vessels will be initially fitted with 32-cell blocks of theMark 41 Vertical Launching System, with the concept image of the hull showing at least three such blocks. Instead of the Mk 41 block, large-cell launchers forhypersonic missiles can also be accepted, where existing naval missiles likeRIM-174 Standard ERAM andBGM-109 Tomahawk could be quad-packed into the larger canister, leveraging design improvements in the Mk 41 Single Cell Launcher and U.S. Army'sTyphon missile launcher from the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) program.[17]
The concept image shows the vessel mounting a main 5-inch (127-mm)/62 calMark 45 Mod 4 gun. Upgraded versions of the class may incorporatedirected energy weapons, with lasers ranging from 150 to 600 kW.[4]A new rendering released byProgram Executive Office (PEO) Ships and obtained by Naval News in early January 2025 shows DDG(X) omitting the 5-inch Mark 45 naval gun entirely.[18]