A reporter for Defense News is the first to spend time on the USS Zumwalt as it conducted builders trials off the coast of Maine. The 610 foot long, 16,000 ton stealth destroyer, the first of her class, is undergoing extra testing before delivery to the U.S. Navy.

The Zumwalt's iconic slab-sided profile, in which no radar antennas, weapons or masts are visible, reduces the ship's radar cross-section. Although most recent U.S. Navy surface ships incorporate some level of stealth, Zumwalt is by far the stealthiest. This has meant some pretty dramatic departures in warship design, which veteran reporter Christopher Cavas takes note of.

One of the reasons why the ship is so large—up to fifty percent larger than the previous Arleigh Burke-class destroyers—is that everything has to be hidden from radar. Despite Zumwalt's unarmed appearance the ship packs two 155-millimeter long-range guns and 80 missile silos. Although the ship can carry out most missions, including anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, it will be particularly adept at smashing targets on the ground with its two guns. For now however, the Zumwalt's weapons are currently inactive and isn't carrying any missiles.

The ship can also generate a lot of electrical power, up to 78 megawatts via an advanced induction motor and a Rolls-Royce gas turbine. The ship can provide provide up to 58 megawatts to weapons while still pulling 20 knots, makes it a prime candidate for future upgrades including lasers and railguns.

Even the small rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) that the Zumwalt carries get the high-tech treatment. Carried by all nearly all ships in all navies, RHIBs are typically launched off the side of a ship. Unfortunately the winches used to lower them in the water create a big fat radar return, so Zumwalt's RHIBs are carried two each in an internal tubular bay, launching from a hole in the side of the ship like the fighters from Battlestar Galactica.

Cavas reports that the ship is hitting all of its planned objectives during testing, and hasn't suffered any equipment failures—pretty impressive for a brand-new design with brand-new features. The Navy is building three Zumwalt-class destroyers. It originally planned to build a fleet of 32, but total program costs for just three ships soared to $23 billion .

The futuristic ship is commanded by—wait for it—Captain James Kirk. If the ship is accepted by the Navy, it will conduct weapons trials in 2018.

You can read more about this unprecidented look at the ship over atDefense News.

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