Advanced Destroyer Leaves Drydock

The first of a new class of US Navy destroyer,the pre-commissioning unit Zumwalt,floated out of drydock at Bath Iron Works,Maine on Tuesday.It will be tied up pierside until its construction is completed.At 610 feet long,it is the largest destroyer in history.It's been decscribed as being absolutely huge and massive.*
The christening of a ship traditionally occurs when it leaves drydock,but the Zumwalt's had to be postponed till Spring 2014 because of the government shutdown.The late Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's two daughters will christen the ship at that time.Zumwalt was a decorated veteran of World War II,and became the youngest Chief of Naval Operations at age 49.He instituted the practice of women serving on US Navy warships.*
The weird-looking Zumwalt,which uses electric drive propulsion,is highly automated,so its complement of 158 personnel is only about half that of Arleigh Burke class destroyers.Unlike previous warhsips,its antennae are hidden within the superstructure,and its stealthy,low in the water hull has a wave-piercing bow for stability.The Zumwalt's advanced 155mm gun can lob rocket-propelled warheads almost 100 miles.*
Only three of the Zumwalt class of destroyer will be built,at a price of 3.5 billion dollars each.The Zumwalt is within budget and on time,in contrast to other high profile programs.Sea trials will occur in Fall 2014,and the ship is to be delivered by builder General Dynamics in 2015.*
General Dynamics(GD)