DD(X) Program Completes Critical Design Review

The U.S. Navy's DD(X) destroyer program last week wrapped up its critical design review, marking the end of its third phase of development ahead of a top-level acquisition review at the Pentagon, the Naval Sea Systems Command said.

The Navy's flag-level review Sept. 14 represented the culmination of three years of design effort that encompassed the ship, mission system, personnel and shore designs for the DD(X) concept, Navsea said. In particular, it resulted in the design, construction and test of 10 engineering development models that Navy officials have called the bedrock of future fleet capabilities such as reduced staffing, advanced guns and electric systems that power everything from propulsion to weapons (DAILY, Sept. 15).

"The Navy and [industry's] National Team have accomplished the most thorough ship design and integration process in the history of Navy shipbuilding," Rear Adm. Charles Hamilton, the Navy's program executive officer for ships, said in a statement.

"We've matured the systems we need to build this class, and are ready to proceed to Milestone B and begin detail design and construction," said Rear Adm. Chuck Goddard, the DD(X) program manager.

Navsea does not yet know when the top-level Defense Acquisition Board will perform its Milestone B review, a spokesman told The DAILY. The review also is not listed on the board's public schedule, which was updated Sept. 15.

The DD(X) program is awaiting two other important decisions.