Troubled DDG 1000 faces shipyard problems (xpost from Veterans)

[unhappycamper]

DDG debacle
Deckhouse structure concerns Navy.


Troubled DDG 1000 faces shipyard problems
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Sep 16, 2008 6:02:56 EDT

One month after the Defense Department signaled that it was changing the Navy’s position on whether to build a third Zumwalt-class destroyer, confusion remains as to why the Navy backed off the program in the first place — and now whether the Navy will be able to build the first two ships.

Sources familiar with the issue say that problems have arisen in guaranteeing the seals between the composite construction panels of the ship’s huge deckhouse. The structure — one of 10 key engineering development models — is to be built by Northrop Grumman’s dedicated composite facility at Gulfport, Miss.

The deckhouse is one of the major changes in the DDG 1000 over previous warships. All of the ship’s major sensors — radars, missile guidance systems, electronic warfare and other sensors — are embedded in the structure, and all of the ship above the first superstructure level is contained in the composite structure. A partial test section of the structure has been built, and Northrop and Navy officials have maintained that there are no significant problems with the composite deckhouse.

Navy officials hadn’t responded to questions by Sept. 12, but Northrop issued a statement that day.

“Our testing program of the composite deck house is very mature and continues to meet the technical requirements of the design,” Northrop said.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_zumwalt_091508w/%2e



uhc comment: Can't figure out how to attach the deckhouse - check. No CIWS - check. Can't shoot missles - check. $10.3+ billion a copy - check.

Heckova program, guys.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Well...

Having the deckhouse come off during acceleration could provide a few thorny challenges when fighting the ship. It's not optimal to leave the bridge, all the ossifers in it, and your electronics suite sinking somewhere behind you. I mean, that's not something they teach in The Boat Club, is it? That said, a Destroyer that cannot fire missiles is little more than a big and expensive bass boat, only with less fish finders, and without a CIWS, well, then it becomes little more than a target barge.

Conclusion: The guys who sold the Navy this bill of goods have created the world's most expensive floating goat fuck.

[unhappycamper]

2. I'm curious how well the new $11 billion carrier is going to work.

These guys don't have a stellar record unless you call wasting money stellar.