Tri-Service
US Navy's Most Advanced Warship Breaks Down
The largest and most advanced destroyer ever built for the US Navy has broken down in the Panama Canal.
The USS Zumwalt, which cost more than $4.4 billion (£3.5bn) to build, has been towed into port after losing power, with repairs expected to take up to 10 days.
The warship, which is equipped with the latest stealth technology, was on its way to San Diego, California, to begin the activation of its weapons system.
Zumwalt arriving in Colombia last week
The destroyer suffered slight damage when it hit lock walls in the canal, with the crew seeing water getting into bearings that connect electrical motors to the vessel's driveshafts, according to US Naval Institute publication USNI News. Fleet commander Vice Admiral Nora Tyson said:
"The timeline for repairs is being determined now, in direct coordination with Naval Sea Systems and Naval Surface Forces.
"The schedule for the ship will remain flexible to enable testing and evaluation in order to ensure the ship's safe transit to her new home port in San Diego."
It's the latest in a series of snags for the 610ft warship, which only came into commission last month.
A sea water leak was reported in the engines in September as it was sailing from its shipbuilders, while it also suffered engineering problems shortly after commissioning.
A sailor on Zumwalt firing a machine gun during a recent test
Zumwalt, the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers, features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design, and the latest warfighting technology and weaponry available.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions, while operating with a far smaller crew than current destroyers
Two other Zumwalt-class destroyers are currently being built,
The class is named after Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who's credited with building the modern US Navy.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
