Raytheon Achieves Critical Readiness Milestone for Zumwalt-Class Destroyer (DDG-1000)

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company completed the production readiness review of the mission systems equipment (MSE) for the Zumwalt-class destroyer program. The successful review validates ship systems' stability and maturity and officially authorizes the program's transition to full production.>> "The series of reviews built into the Zumwalt-class destroyer program are considered a 'best practice' - a model for ship programs to eliminate risks early and keep the program on track," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Robert Martin, vice president and deputy of Seapower Capability Systems. "This review confirmed that all designs, technologies and components meet program specifications and requirements so there are no surprises or delays as production commences.">> This comprehensive review was the culmination of more than 90 separate design and production reviews held to confirm the readiness of the Zumwalt's MSE, which comprises the following major subsystems: the Total Ship Computing Environment; Dual Band Radar; the external communications suite; MK 57 Vertical Launching System; AN/SQQ-90 Integrated Undersea Warfare Combat System; the Electro-Optical/Infrared suite; the Identification Friend or Foe integrated sensor suite; and the Zumwalt ship control hardware, including an integrated bridge, navigation, EO surveillance, and engineering control system components>> Following the success of this production readiness review, the Zumwalt program then completed a total ship system production readiness review--the final formal review before ship construction begins. This series of reviews help ensure that all ship systems have been rigorously tested, proven and delivered to the shipyards well in advance, which results in substantial cost savings and minimal rework.