Latest news with #DDG(X
AllAfrica
21-07-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
US Navy's next-gen destroyer looking like a money pit
The US Navy's next-gen DDG(X) destroyer is designed to outgun China's rising fleet, but soaring costs, shaky tech and shipyard bottlenecks threaten to derail the program before it leaves the drawing board. This month, the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report stating that while the US Navy seeks to procure the first DDG(X) in the early 2030s and has requested US$133.5 million for research and development in FY2026, the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates each ship will cost $4.4 billion—33% more than the US Navy's $3.3 billion projection. The DDG(X) is intended to replace the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers with enhanced power systems, increased payload capacity and the ability to field directed-energy weapons. However, a June 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted that critical technologies—including the Integrated Power System (IPS) and hull form—remain immature and may not be fully tested before the ship enters detailed design. That's raising red flags about cost and schedule—further compounded by August 2024 updates to operational requirements made to accommodate faster speeds and higher electrical loads, with no updated timelines or cost estimates provided. Lawmakers must weigh whether DDG(X)'s ambitious design justifies its cost and whether the US Navy is doing enough to manage risks as it transitions from existing destroyer programs. The DDG(X) program embodies the US Navy's effort to field a technologically advanced destroyer capable of countering China's growing surface fleet, but it faces significant technology maturity challenges and industrial constraints that threaten to delay deployment. In terms of tactical capability, Missile Threat notes that the AN/SPY-6 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar slated to be installed on the new class is 30 times more powerful than the current AN/SPY-1 and can track over 30 times the targets, enabling simultaneous ballistic missile defense, air defense and surface warfare. Defense Daily reported in January 2022 that the DDG(X)'s baseline combat suite includes two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers and 32 MK 41 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, with potential upgrades including two 600-kilowatt lasers, a third 150-kilowatt laser, and 12 Large Missile Launcher cells for hypersonic weapons. James Black mentions in a January 2024 RAND article that such weapons aboard ships offer precision strike capabilities at the speed of light, reduced engagement costs and deep magazine capacity—traits invaluable for countering fast-moving aerial threats, drones and missiles. Black notes that a 10-second laser shot may cost only $13, massively undercutting missile interceptor prices. He adds that lasers reduce logistical strain, can quickly retarget and offer deep magazines, but suffer from weather limits, require stable platforms and strain power systems. Although the GAO notes that IPS technology is still in development, nuclear propulsion for cruisers and destroyers could be feasible, as the US Navy previously operated such ships during the Cold War. However, renewed great power competition with China and Russia might prompt the US to revisit that idea. Jordan Spector argues in a July 2025 Proceedings article that reviving nuclear propulsion for cruisers and destroyers offers clear advantages in power and endurance. He states that Generation IV reactors are more economical, require less maintenance and eliminate midlife refueling, supporting high-energy weapons like railguns and lasers for sustained combat operations without losing mobility. Spector notes that nuclear vessels are less vulnerable to logistics interdiction, especially as China's capacity to disrupt fuel supply chains grows. However, he highlights challenges such as port access restrictions, limited nuclear-certified shipyards, significant infrastructure costs and historical expense concerns. The operational need for a large surface combatant such as the DDG(X) may be driven in part by the massive growth of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), especially in large surface combatants such as the Type 055 cruiser. According to the US Department of Defense's (DoD) 2024 China Military Power Report (CMPR), the PLAN has significantly expanded its fleet of large surface combatants, reflecting a strategic emphasis on blue-water capability. As of 2023, the report states China fielded over 370 ships, including at least eight Renhai-class (Type 055) cruisers, each displacing approximately 13,000 tons and equipped with 112 VLS cells. The report notes this underscores China's push to project power through a technologically sophisticated fleet. Eric Wertheim, writing in March 2023 for Proceedings, says the Type 055 embodies China's ambition to field high-end blue-water combatants with extensive multi-domain capabilities. The writer notes China's Type 055 displaces up to 13,000 tons and is armed with 112 universal VLS cells capable of deploying HHQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 antiship cruise missiles, YJ-21 hypersonic missiles and potentially antisubmarine or land-attack weapons. He adds that the class integrates the Type 346B AESA radar, towed and hull-mounted sonar suites and variable-depth sonar for layered detection, with shipboard sensors enclosed in a stealth-enhancing integrated mast. Additionally, Wertheim states that the Type 055's other armaments include a 130-millimeter main gun, HHQ-10 point-defense launcher, close-in weapons systems (CIWS) and dual maritime helicopters, giving the platform comprehensive strike, defense and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) reach. Given such developments, Brent Sadler mentions in an April 2023 article for The Heritage Foundation that as tensions with China intensify, the DDG(X) program stands as a strategic imperative for maintaining US naval dominance. Sadler underscores that China's shipbuilding surge, coupled with the US's aging fleet, risks capability gaps without timely DDG(X) deployment. He points out that with only two US shipyards producing large surface combatants, early and predictable investment is crucial. He notes that a funded signal today enables Huntington Ingalls and Bath Iron Works to commit to facility upgrades and workforce expansion, mitigating production delays. He adds that integrating a proven acquisition model like the Virginia-class Integrated Product Team (IPT) ensures yard constraints are addressed during design, improving fabrication efficiency. Sadler warns that delayed action risks ceding US naval initiative in a high-stakes theater such as the Pacific. Whether DDG(X) becomes the US Navy's trump card or a billion-dollar trap will hinge on decisions made before the first keel is even laid.
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Fairbanks Morse Defense Awarded Contract for FM 175D Engine to Support U.S. Navy's DDG(X) Program
BELOIT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), has been awarded a contract to provide the U.S. Navy with an FM 175D high-speed diesel generator engine for integration into the DDG(X) land-based propulsion system test site, supporting the U.S. Navy's goal of reducing design risks as it continues developing the next-generation platform. 'Fairbanks Morse Defense has a long history of delivering mission-critical power and propulsion solutions for the U.S. Navy,' said Mike Clark, Chief Operating Officer of Fairbanks Morse Defense. 'The selection of the FM 175D for this important land-based test highlights the superior power density needed on modern surface combatants, ensuring the DDG(X) has the energy needed to operate advanced combat systems while maintaining operational efficiency.' Designed to succeed the Flight II Ticonderoga-class cruisers and the Flight I/II Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the platform is currently in the design and feasibility stage, with construction expected to begin in 2032. As the Navy's next-generation large surface combatant, DDG(X) will integrate a wider array of advanced systems, demanding unprecedented levels of power generation. The ship is designed with an Integrated Power System (IPS) to generate, convert, and distribute power for ship operations. The DDG(X) electrical plant is expected to deliver more than 75 megawatts of power for standard operations while enabling high-energy equipment, advanced sensors, and enhanced propulsion systems. The FM 175D propulsion system generator set can produce 3.8 MW of power, which is considered among the best in class for power density. Unlike conventional high-speed engines, the FM 175D delivers significantly greater power while maximizing fuel efficiency, making it an optimal choice to reduce the life cycle costs of the DDG(X) platform. It has a power output range of 1,740 to 4,400 kilowatts and operates at 1,800 to 2,000 RPM. Fairbanks Morse Defense launched the FM 175D into the United States in 2023 to meet the growing demand for high-density power system solutions in the naval defense industry. As the most power-dense engine available in the U.S. maritime sector, the FM 175D is well-proven in maritime defense and commercial applications worldwide, offering increased electrical output for modern naval operations and combat systems. The FM 175D is available in 12, 16, or 20-cylinder configurations with a 175mm bore, and is capable of driving mechanical propulsion systems or generators for onboard power generation. About Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) builds, maintains, and services the most trusted naval power and propulsion systems on the planet. For nearly 100 years, FMD has been a principal supplier of a growing array of leading marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. FMD stands ready to rapidly support the systems that power military fleets without compromising safety or quality. In times of peace and war, the experienced engineers, sailors, and technicians of FMD demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mission and vision of critical global naval operations wherever and whenever needed. FMD is a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management. To learn more, visit
AllAfrica
14-03-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
US, China and Japan racing for the super-battleship lead
In a race similar to the Anglo-German naval buildup before World War I, the US, Japan and China are gearing up to build large, heavily armed missile warships for a potential climactic showdown at sea. Cruisers typically are the largest, most heavily armed non-carrier major surface combatants, substantially larger and heavier than destroyers or frigates. They can serve as a flagship for surface action groups (SAG) or as a command center for fleet air defense. While only the US and Russia currently operate warships formally classed as cruisers, some ships officially classed as destroyers have similar sizes and capabilities. This month, Naval News reported that US defense contractor Lockheed Martin showcased a model of Japan's advanced AEGIS System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) at the IDEX in Abu Dhabi. Set to become the world's largest stealth-guided missile destroyer outside the US Zumwalt class, Japan's ASEV will significantly strengthen its ballistic missile defense capabilities. At 190 meters and over 14,000 tons, ASEV surpasses China's Type 055 destroyer (classed as a cruiser by NATO) on many measures with AN/SPY-7 AESA radar, 128 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, Glide Phase Interceptors (GPI) for hypersonic threats and Tomahawk missiles. As regional tensions rise, delivery is expected by 2028, underscoring Japan's strategic shift from land-based systems to counter China and North Korea's evolving threats. As with Japan's ASEVs, the US Navy's DDG(X) advanced guided-missile destroyer program is progressing in the concept design phase, The War Zone reported in January 2025. The DDG(X) is envisioned to replace the US Navy's aging Ticonderoga-class cruisers, which are increasingly uneconomical to maintain with their limited combat value, and the maxed-out Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which lack space for future upgrades. Rear Admiral Bill Daly recently emphasized a 'clean-sheet imperative,' highlighting a 40-megawatt reserve power capacity for directed-energy weapons and advanced sensors supported by Zumwalt-class-derived Integrated Power Systems (IPS). However, escalating costs pose challenges; initial estimates of US$3.3 billion per ship may rise to $4.4 billion, delaying production until at least 2034. Despite plans for 28 vessels, production delays could undermine the US Navy's strategic readiness amid heightened tensions with China. In contrast to Japan and the US, whose next-generation destroyers are still on the drawing board, China has initiated a second production batch of Type 055 cruisers, leveraging shipyards at Dalian and Jiangnan to add to its fleet of eight ships, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported in February 2025. SCMP notes that the class, costing $827.4 million for each ship, features cutting-edge stealth designs, advanced radar systems and a formidable arsenal, including 112 VLS cells capable of deploying surface-to-air, anti-ship and land-attack missiles. The SCMP report also says the class integrates hypersonic and anti-submarine weaponry, enhancing its multi-role capabilities. China's Type 055 cruiser is designed to escort aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships and serve as command hubs for diverse naval operations. The buildup of large surface warships in the Pacific comes as regional navies are gearing up for high-end war-at-sea scenarios, acquiring assets with critical capabilities such as air, ballistic and cruise missile defense. Growing threat perceptions are driving increased requirements for VLS cells, as seen in Chinese, US and other regional force acquisitions. However, accommodating large VLS arrays demands significant internal space and deck area. Deployment is further complicated by technical requirements for large, high-mounted radars that can detect sea-skimming threats early. Illustrating these missile threats, the US Department of Defense's (DOD) 2024 China Military Power Report says that China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) has an estimated 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), 500 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM), 1,300 medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM), 900 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) and 400 ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCM). Additionally, Politico reported in February 2023 that North Korea may already have enough ICBMs to overwhelm US homeland missile defenses. During an evening parade in Pyongyang, North Korea showcased 10-12 Hwasong-17 ICBMs. Politico says that if North Korea fits four warheads on each ICBM, it could overwhelm the US Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, which has only 44 interceptors. Johannes Fischbach mentions in a December 2024 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) article that China has significantly narrowed the firepower gap with the US Navy, achieving over 50% of US VLS missile cell capacity. According to Fischbach, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the world's largest navy, now fields approximately 4,300 VLS cells across 84 surface combatants, compared to the US Navy's 8,400 cells on 85 ships. He notes this progress stems from China's accelerated shipbuilding, including for Type 055 cruisers and Type 052D destroyers. In contrast, he says the US faces declining VLS capacity due to retiring Ticonderoga-class cruisers and slower construction of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. This narrowing firepower gap could significantly impair US surface warfare capabilities if left unabated. In a March 2023 Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) article, Dmitry Filipoff mentions that massed fires are central to distributed warfighting, enabling concentrated combat effects through coordinated missile salvos from dispersed units. Filipoff says this approach maximizes lethality against advanced shipboard missile defenses, which require saturation by high-volume attacks to ensure effectiveness. He emphasizes the crucial role of ship-based fires, offering unmatched magazine depth and flexibility for sustained operations, as vessels can carry and launch significant missile loads. While effective massed fires may require large, cruiser-size warships for magazine depth, US and allied shipbuilding capabilities are lagging behind China's. In a February 2024 Proceedings article, Jeffrey Seavy mentions that China has 46.59% of the global shipbuilding market, South Korea has 29.24% and Japan has 17.25%, with the US having an insignificant 0.13% share. Seavy says China's massive shipbuilding lead over the US and its allies would give it considerable advantages in a sustained naval conflict. These advantages include potentially decisive numerical superiority, increased capacity for massed ship-based fires and the ability to repair or replace damaged or destroyed warships comparatively quickly. In the Pacific's escalating naval arms race, missile firepower and shipbuilding capacity—not just technology—could determine who wins and who loses future crucial sea battles.
