The U.S. Navy will soon take charge of the first in its newest, most advanced line of warships: the angular, tech-savvy, and expensive USS Zumwalt.
The largest and most technologically sophisticated destroyer in the Navy’s fleet, the USS Zumwalt will be part of an ambitious “Zumwalt-class” of destroyers planned since the 1990s, but not yet built.
At 610 feet long, the USS Zumwalt will be the largest destroyer in the Navy. The final cost to build the behemoth is expected to be at least $4.4 billion.
The official hand-off will take place from the Bath, Maine ship yard to the U.S. Navy on Friday, Navy officials confirmed to ABC News.
The USS Zumwalt has an unusual, imposing geometric design with sharp angles that keeps most of the exterior enclosed. Because of its lines and shape, it will be fifty times more difficult to detect on radar.
During the testing phase for the ship, a lobsterman told the Associated Press that the vessel appeared to be a 50-60 foot fishing boat on his radar. When the ship approached him, he realized it was actually a massive Navy destroyer.
