Tag Archives: zumwalt

eSailor, swag berthing on Zumwalt class, and new Marine cammies

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So it looks like Mabus is really pushing new programs before he leaves his office as SECNAV. I have to admit, some look pretty interesting.

The new eSailor initiative is supposed to put tablets and cell phones in the hands of bluejackets down at the recruit level and up, hoping to supe up the force IT wise. Of course, there are going to be intranet issues, ITSC issues, and further electrical demands on assets, but it’s still kinda neat.

Speaking of electrical demands on assets, check out these berths on the DDG-1000 class. Four words: “our own private heads”

On the bright side, the Marines are testing new lightweight tropical boots and full digital MARPAT green cammies

Welcome USS Michael Monsoor

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Sally Monsoor christens the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001)BATH, Maine (June 18, 2016) Sally Monsoor christens the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), which is named in honor of her son, Medal of Honor recipient Navy MA2 (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor. DDG-1001 includes new technologies and will serve as a multi-mission platform capable of operating as an integral part of naval, joint or combined maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo 160618-N-NO101-002 courtesy of Bath Iron Works/Released)

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo in Hawthorne Nev.. He was postumously awarded the MOH after he leap on a live grenade saving the lives of two fellow SEALs

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo in Hawthorne Nev.. He was postumously awarded the MOH after he leap on a live grenade saving the lives of two fellow SEALs

MA2 Monsoor distinguished himself in by his actions on actions on Sept. 29, 2006

The ship named in his honor will be the second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer and as such is huge.

How huge? Check this out when compared to the rest of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer lineage.

destroyer history american

Now that’s something you don’t see everyday

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The future USS Zumwalt DDG 1000 returned from the at-sea portion of INSURV acceptance trials last Thursday after two days underway at sea.

She is breathtaking.

U.S Navy photo

U.S Navy photo

And, at 600-feet oal and 14,500-tons, this new breed of destroyer is the size of a WWI predreadnought or a WWII heavy cruiser. 

And it shows.

Of course, the WPB is a small patrol boat and the perspective is forced, but the Zumwalt dwarfs her.

Of course, the WPB is a small patrol boat and the perspective is forced, but the Zumwalt dwarfs her.

She is set to commission 15 October and her first sistership, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), is scheduled to be christened on 18 June.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer DDG-115 USS Rafael Peralta under construction alongside Zumwalt-class destroyer DDG-1001 USS Michael Monsoor, at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. Again, note the size difference and keep in mind that Peralta is 512-feet long

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer PCU DDG-115 USS Rafael Peralta under construction alongside Zumwalt-class destroyer PCU DDG-1001 USS Michael Monsoor, at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. Again, note the size difference and keep in mind that Peralta is 512-feet long

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001)

A blend of 19th and 21 Centuries

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The brand-spanking new destroyer USS Zumwald (DDG-1000) sailing by Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec river in Maine, on it’s way to sea trials. All images by Ed Rice.

Destroyer USS Zumwald sailing by Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec river, on it's way to sea trials. Images by Ed Rice 4 Destroyer USS Zumwald sailing by Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec river, on it's way to sea trials. Images by Ed Rice 3 Destroyer USS Zumwald sailing by Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec river, on it's way to sea trials. Images by Ed Rice 2 Destroyer USS Zumwald sailing by Fort Popham at the mouth of the Kennebec river, on it's way to sea trials. Images by Ed Rice
If you are curious, Fort Popham dates back to the 1850s when the granite block coastal defense post was constructed over what was an old  American Revolution and later War of 1812-era battery. Named for Popham colony leader George Popham, the Fort was armed in time for the Civil War (though never fully completed) and mounted 36 Rodman guns and some 10-inch Parrott rifles arranged in two tiers of vaulted casemates.

In latter part of the 19th Century these were replaced by some 15-inch Rodman “shipkillers” and a single 8-inch M1888 breechloader and the fort was maintained through the early 1900s when it was placed into caretaker status with the construction of more modern nearby Fort Baldwin (who in turn mounted 3x 6-inch M1900/M1905 guns and 2x 3-inch M1903s for use against minesweepers for her locally planted fields; later replaced by four 155 mm M1918 guns on Panama Mounts in WWII).

Both Baldwin and Popham were fully decommissioned by the Army by 1949 and turned over to the state of Maine who maintains them as historic sites.

Everyone is taking this Star Wars thing way too far…

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Yup, she not only floats, but moves too. We give you the $3.5 Billion (with a B), 15,000-ton battleship, err cruiser, err arsenal ship, err sea control ship, err guided missile destroyer PCS Zumwalt.

The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is underway for the first time conducting at-sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 7. The multi-mission ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces

IOC to be reached in 2016