Navy Establishes Program Office for Next-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) transits the Danish Straits, June 3, 2021. The Navy has established a program office for the DDG(X), the ship that will follow Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. *U.S. NAVY / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrea Rumple*

ARLINGTON, Va. — A June 4, 2021, ceremony marked the U.S. Navy’s official establishment a program office for the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG(X)), the ship that will follow the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class DDG in Navy service.

The program office, designated PMS 460, is now part of the Program Executive Office (PEO) – Ships. Its stand-up was approved on April 22 through a memo by the acting secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition approving the establishment of the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG(X)) program office, said Alan Baribeau, a spokesman for the PEO.

The DDG(X) program office includes “16 headquarters billets supporting PMS 460, including 11 incumbent billets from PMS 320 focusing on Integrated Power Systems and other Electric Ships initiatives.

Below is the Navy’s statement on the establishment of PMS 460:

“The Acting Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition has approved the establishment of the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG(X)) program office within Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. Capt. David Hart is assigned as the Major Program Manager and Katherine Connelly as the Deputy Program Manager. DDG(X) leadership is tasked with developing an acquisition strategy, a design/technical data package and ship construction, testing, fleet introduction and sustainment plans.

“The Guided Missile Destroyer will provide the flexibility and margins necessary to succeed the DDG-51 class as the Navy’s next enduring large surface combatant combining the DDG 51 FLT III combat systems elements with a new hull form, an efficient Integrated Power System and greater endurance reducing the fleet logistics burden.

“In conjunction with this establishment, PEO Ships’ Electric Ships program office will transition into the DDG(X) program office. Electric Ships was established to generate and execute an integrated power system development and transition plan. DDG(X) is the embodiment of that vision. This integration will further utilize the expertise that has been cultivated within the Electric Ships portfolio.”

The Navy said a further statement that a “formal acquisition strategy for DDG(X) is being developed to ensure a smooth transition between Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Class and DDG(X). Preliminary through Detail Design for DDG(X) will be accomplished through a collaborative, multi-disciplinary Navy-industry effort composed of the surface combatant shipbuilders, suppliers, ship design agents and other subject matter experts. Through FY21, Navy continued Conceptual Design efforts for DDG(X) and began collaboration with DDG 51 shipyards to achieve the Chief of Naval Operations cost, schedule and performance targets. These collaborative efforts will continue into FY22 with the start of Preliminary Design. The PB22 budget request funds transition from Conceptual Design to Preliminary Design, brings industry teams fully onboard, and continues Integrated Power System and hull form land-based test activities to ensure program risk reduction. FY22 preliminary design will lead to FY26 Detail Design and FY28 construction start.”