Navy Arms DDG(X) With Larger Launchers, Hypersonics

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

Larger, powered up by compact, high-tech mobile sources of electricity, supported by a new generation of computing, networking and command and control .. .and most of all, armed with hypersonic weapons, are just a few of the Navy’s plans for its emerging next generation destroyer called the DDG (X).

Plans had previously been largely conceptual as the service continues to work on requirements, technological applications, design possibilities and concepts of operation, however now requirements are fully emerging and the Navy vision is beginning to take a little more shape and direction. The concept is to architect a new ship engineered with a new generation of weapons, sensors, computing and survivability while embracing the best of available cutting edge technologies and ensuring possibilities for ongoing upgrades and enhancements moving into the future

Initial thoughts were that the hull of the DDG(X) and many of the ship’s advanced technologies would primarily be based upon the evolving and upgradeable technologies now being built into Flight III DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. To a large degree, it appears that may be the case, however in addition to this approach, the Navy is also interested in ensuring they build a large-enough hull with sufficient power-generating ability such that the new warship can accommodate hypersonic weapons, lasers and other high-power systems. An interesting quote from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday was previously cited in an essay from USNI saying that indeed larger space and next-generation hypersonic weapons are critical parts of the service’s plan for DDG (X).

“Our intent for DDG(X) would be much the same, that we would use a proven combat system on that ship. But we need a ship that has more space and allows for more weight and for capability growth over time. An example might be hypersonic missiles, just based on the size of those missiles. We couldn’t fit those in a current Arleigh Burke, or even a Flight III. [DDG(X) is] a deeper ship, if you will, from that standpoint,” Gilday said as quoted in USNI.

As part of this effort to arm the DDG(X) with a new generation of weapons, the Navy is working with Lockheed to engineer new, larger, hypersonic-capable Vertical Launch Systems. Sure enough this possibility, which is now moving along quickly with Lockheed, was anticipated by Navy weapons developers last year during the 2022 Surface Navy Association Symposium.

“You’ve got lasers, larger arrays, an upgraded X band radar, maybe additional VLS (Vertical Launch Systems) cells, large missile launchers, and also potentially an integrated power and energy system versus just an integrated a power system,” Katie Connelly, the deputy program manager for the DDG X program office, said at the 2022 Surface Navy Association Symposium. Much progress on the ship has already been made, as the Chief of Naval Operations has approved an initial set of potential requirements and the service has drafted a preliminary Capabilities Development Document (CDD) for the ship.