Tag Archives: departing

Technology

Discovering the Secrets of the USS Zumwalt, the Largest Destroyer Ever Built

The USS Zumwalt, the flagship of the advanced Zumwalt class of destroyers, has received a new designation, breaking away from the previous naming conventions. The previous class of destroyers, known as the Arleigh Burke class, ended with DDG 139. However, the USS Zumwalt brings a significant advancement in naval capabilities, with improvements in its designation, mission capabilities, and equipment.

The Zumwalt class, including the DDG-1000 and other vessels, is designed as versatile ships capable of carrying out various missions. Unlike its predecessor, the Arleigh Burke class, the Zumwalt class is significantly larger and equipped with enhanced armaments. However, these advancements also come with a higher price tag. Building a new and untested combat ship involves pioneering new components and designs, which can lead to higher initial expenses. However, as shipyards like Bath Iron Works adapt and streamline their processes, future iterations are expected to become more cost-effective.

Originally, more Zumwalt class ships were planned, but due to budget constraints, only three were ordered, and the rest were canceled. The USS Zumwalt represents a promising step towards the future of naval warfare, boasting unparalleled capabilities. However, thorough testing and refinement are needed to ensure its operational effectiveness.

Technology

USS Cutlass: An Extraordinary Submarine That Is Still in Service After Almost 80 Years

The USS Cutlass, a submarine that set sail from Pearl Harbor a few years after the devastating 1941 attack on the United States that initiated World War II, had a unique history. Despite its deployment to Japanese waters, the Cutlass never engaged in any battles. Surprisingly, it arrived near Japan only one day after the Japanese surrender in 1945. For a little over a month, the Cutlass conducted patrols in the area before returning to Pearl Harbor and eventually relocating to the east coast of the United States. Afterwards, in 1949, the Cutlass played a crucial role as the test submarine for Operation Rainbow. This operation aimed to assess the visibility of color schemes on submarines as these vessels started to dive to deeper depths than ever before.

Following this period, the Cutlass primarily embarked on journeys within the Western Hemisphere before making a trip to Europe in 1953. Until its retirement from the military, the Cutlass was engaged in patrols, exercises, and anti-submarine warfare training. Eventually, almost 30 years after its launch, the submarine was decommissioned and sold to Taiwan.