WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Detailed design work on the United States' next-generation destroyer will continue under a $268 million contract awarded Monday to Northrop Grumman.
The 13-year pact funds further detail design work as well as long-lead materials procurement for the DDG 1000 project, also known as the Zumwalt-class destroyer.
The DDG 1000 is being designed to play an increased role in supporting amphibious operations and handling missions in coastal "littoral" environments where the United States expects to see a fair share of action in the 21st Century. The high-priced, high-tech ship will be able to get close enough to shore to bring significant power to bear as an anti-aircraft and gunfire support platform.
As one of the most-advanced warships ever conceived, the DDG 1000 requires a high level of meticulous design, particularly in its electronics and IT networking capabilities. Northrop predicted in a news release that the work being performed by its DDG 1000 staff would "influence ship design worldwide for the remainder of the century."
"This award reinforces the Navy's confidence in our ability to execute the program to cost and on schedule," said Northrop Vice President Brian Cuccias.
