Currently being designed and built is a new family of American Navy surface combatants, the project is called DD(X). DD is navynese for Destroyer but theres also going to be a frigate and small patrol ship. DD(X) is the downsized current version of the original DD-21 program of large destroyer/guided missile cruiser. DD(X) is going to be smaller but just as lethal, its going to be as much submarine as surface ship as much of her is going to remain underwater. This design, as well as the use of advanced radar absorbing hull materials, will allow DD(X) to see enemy threats long before they are able to see her. Which is how you win naval battles.

While DD(X) will have robust ASW & Air defense suites her primary mission will be support of land units in littoral warfare zones. For this she will have two 155mm howitzer gun systems. These two advanced guns will each fire 12 rpm and with ERM "extended range munitions" will have a range of 100 nm. These munitions will include smart munitions that can seek and destroy the enemy on their own, GPS guided munitions,laser guided, and inertial guided. Future land battles will be won when a DD(X) launches a remote aircraft, this remote flies over an enemy column 100 miles inland, and useing its own laser targeter illuminates the target guiding incoming shells to the (X). That or sending back GPS info to the ship and the incoming shells deciding on their own which targets to take out.

Targets 100nm to 200 nm will be destroyed with Standard land attack missiles. Targets 200nm to 1,000nm will be anhiliated with Tactical Tmohawk Block-lV missiles. DD(X) will launch these missiles thru a VLS cell battery which will also be capable of protecting the ship, from aircraft and enemy missiles, with the evolved sea sparrow missile. The VLS will also be capable of launching Standard LR SM2 missiles, ASROC anti-sub, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well as having a close in missile defense gun system on board. For additional ASW capabilities she will have two LAMPS helicopters on board. DD(X) is going to have such advanced technology she will operate with less then 1/2 the crew of other destroyers her size.

Exactly what is she? DD(X) is part submarine,part guided missile cruiser,part battleship,part destroyer, and part frigate. She will be capable of putting more rounds on target, with much greater accuracy/lethality, and from a much greater distance then an IOWA class battleship. Her land attack capability,ASW capability,AA capability, and antiship capability, will equal or exceed a Ticonderoga class cruiser and/or A. Burke class destroyer. Even better she will be fully integrated in the AEGIS combat system. Even better then that DD(X) will be far more survivable against enemy threats then any USN surface combatant ever made.

Why am I telling you this? Because its so fricking cool thats why! DD(X) is going to be the most coolest surface warship ever to put to sea and its going to have an American flag on it.................take care............Rich