Guadalcanal Class DDG

Finally...

USS Guadalcanal DDG-1003 / circa 2038

Length: 189m (620.0ft)
Beam: 23m (75.5ft)
Draft: 9.2m (30.1ft)
Displacement: 16600 metric tons (full)
Crew: 138 (standard), 165 (with Helicopter team), 220 (max)
Range: 5000nm (9260km) at 24kt

Propulsion: Integrated Electric Propulsion System
Rolls Royce MT-30-C1 Gas Turbine x2
 -powering AG11000 Gas Turbine Generator x2, for 38MW each
General Electric LM2500+G4 Gas Turbine x2
 -powering AG9175 Gas Turbine Generator x2, for 5 MW each
General Electric Propulsion Motor x2

Electronics:
AN/SPY-6(V)5 S-band AESA x4
AN/SPY-8(V)1 X-band AESA MFR x4
AN/SLQ-32(V)8 EW Suite x2
AN/SIF-1(V)2 Varied Band Integrated Transceiver Antennae x4 (Shared by SLQ-32 and Comm)
AN/SIF-3 Varied Band Integrated Transceiver Antennae x1 (Shared by SLQ-32 and Comm)
AN/SPS-77(V)1 Sea-search and Navigation Radar x1
Mk.59 Mod 0 Electro-Optical Surveillance System x4
AN/SSQ-1(V)2 C4I Interface Suite x1
(Note: The number of each equipment refers to number of transceiver. For instance, SPY-6 has 4 and SLQ-32 has 2, but they all have 4 antennae set)
AN/SQQ-93(V)1 ASW Combat System
 -AN/SQS-53E Bow Sonar Array
 -TB-37U Towed Sonar Array (with CAPTAS-4 VDS)
 -AN/SQQ-288 LAMPS III Shipboard system
AN/SJP-2(V)3 JADICS 2.0 Processor Cluster

Off-board Jamming:
Mk.53 Mod 10 Nulka Active Decoy System Launcher x12
AN/SLQ-25G Nixie Torpedo Countermeasures

Armament:
Battery-0
 -AN/SEQ-6(V)2 Mod 3 HELIOS II 200MW Laser CIWS x1
Battery-A
 -Mk.41/57 VLS Module (8-cell) up to 6 or
 -Mk.156 SVLS Module (1-cell) up to 12 for IR-CPS or Standard Mid-range Capacity Enhancement (4 SM-2MR in 1 cell) or
 -Mk.45 Mod 13 Gun System Module up to 1
Battery-B
 -Mk.41/57 VLS Module (8-cell) up to 12 for SM-2MR, SM-6 Block IIA/IB, SM-3 Block IIC, SM-7 Block I (GPI), RGM-109 Block V and ESSM
Battery-X
 -Mk.41/57 VLS Module (8-cell) up to 8
Battery-Y
 -AN/SEQ-6(V)2 Mod 3 HELIOS II 200MW Laser CIWS x2 or
 -76mm Over-deck Rapid Gun Module up to 2 or
 -Mk.21 RAM Launcher Module up to 1
Port/Starboard Station
 -324mm Torpedo Launcher x2
 -25mm Remote Weapon Station x2

Auxiliary Vehicle:
MH-60R Romeo Helicopter up to 2 or
DMV-22D/MV-280B Sea Valor Tiltrotor up to 1 or
MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV up to 4
RHIB up to 4
Mk.19 Mod 3 Talon Remote Mine-hunting & ASW System UUV up to 3

History:
Finally this is not another FY2016-initiated program. Instead it is officially funded in 2025 with preliminary studies beginning around 2019. Congress had spent considerable dollars on F/A-XX and Columbia Class SSBN, so their basic expectation on DDG(X) program was well-controlled cost and utilizing mature tech in order to achieve IOC in no later than 2038. Since shipbuilding and fleet evolution is a step-by-step process, some of the most advanced systems had been examined by Burke Flight III and Dorris Miller. And DDG(X) was supposed to be a AAW&BMD-focused Aegis ship so she don't need a dedicated ASW system. Navy quickly determined the basic figures of the new vessel. In FY2028, Congress reviewed the outline of DDG(X) program and granted Navy's design. However, they further suggested a better-armed design. This led to the utilization of modularized VLS. An encounter in Arctic off Russia coast by warlord "Northern Order" with 6 3M22 Zircon (SS-N-33) and 14 3M54E1 Klub (SS-N-27) that damaged USS Ramage DDG-61 in 2030 stressed the need for enhanced sea-search capability. As a result, SPY-8(V)1 was developed based on SPQ-9C Mod 2 originally designated for DDG(X). It also combines function of SPG-69 illuminator. The first batch of 4 ships was chosen to be built by HII and BIW with no surprise. Construction began in 2032. DDG-1003, as the first of her class, was officially named as Guadalcanal after the battle off that island in FY2035.

DDG-1003 USS Guadalcanal was christened in Ingalls Shipbuilding in 2035. She was officially commissioned in 2037 and achieved IOC later that year. Several technical problems, including the delay of SPY-8 and the integration of JADICS 2.0 slowed the pace of delivery. According to original plan, these 4 vessels should be in service no later than 2038, yet the 4th of which, USS Cape Esperance, joined 7th Fleet in March 2039. The pace would be up in following contracts. Flight I, including a 4-ship batch (batch I) and 3 6-ship batch (batch II-IV) was ordered between FY2032-2041. Flight IA, with a baseline 13 Aegis system, started construction from FY2043. The total number ordered was 21 (Flight IA only), as the last of which was delivered in 2050. A Flight II model was in development, but this is not our focus here.

As in 2042, there were 4 ships serving in 7th Fleet. 3 ships were under command of 6th Fleet and 1 ship was in trial before deployment. The 4 in Indopacific AoR was DDG-1003 USS Guadalcanal, DDG-1004 USS Lake Erie, DDG-1006 USS Wake as well as DDG-1008 USS Saratoga. When DF missiles fell from sky onto Yokosuka, DDG-1004 was in docking but undamaged. DDG-1003 was the flagship of CSG-14 (Yorktown CSG) and DDG-1006 was protecting Bunker Hill ARG, DDG-1008 being the escort of USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of 7th Fleet. As one of the major targets, Yorktown was subjected by a total of 54 missiles consisted of 7 DF-21, 20 DF-26, 17 YJ-21 as well as 10 CJ-100. USS Guadalcanal, combined with 1 Burke III, 2 Burke IIA, 1 Miller I and 1 Miller IA, intercepted all ballistic missiles and most of cruise missiles. However, 2 CJ-100 hit USS Farragut DDG-99 and USS Wayne E Meyer DDG-108. DDG-1003 launched 14 SM-3 Block IIC and 9 SM-6 Block IIA and coordinated the whole engagement.

During entire chaotic 2040s, there would be 16 DDG-1003 class fighting for 7th Fleet and Indopacific frontline.

Features:
As you may have already found out, DDG-1003 is a modified design of DDG-1000 Zumwalt class sharing same basic outline, a similar tumblehome hull. However, the angle is smaller for a larger deck room. Yet this change affects her stealth performance. According to US Navy officials, Guadalcanal has a 40% larger RCS than Zumwalt class. The stealth capability of DDG-1000 was confirmed to have a similar RCS to a offshore yacht as showed in disclosed files. The decision to replace wave-piercing hull with traditional clipper stem also increases her RCS a bit. However, in order to deal with severe sea states this change is believed to be necessary. Anyway, extreme stealth performance is not a critical demand of DDG(X) program as those ships mainly sail on high sea providing shieldings for large ships. On the other hand, reducing acoustic signature still matters a lot. DDG-1003 does as good as DDG-1000 in silence running. A new flame venting system further improved her infrared stealth by clearing the smoke from launched missiles more rapidly. This system allows flame (mainly remaining dark cloud) to be cooled and circulated under the VLS before released.

There are constant questioning about whether stealth is necessary for fleet destroyers. No combat example has proved its benefits yet. Nevertheless, no one could be sure that passive stealth isn't helpful in making hostile reconnaissance harder.

But no stealth could hide her powerful EM signature when all 4 37 RMA antennae of diamond-based S-band AESA go active to search a radius of over 400km against air targets. The Raytheon SPY-6(V)5 is a improved version, both in software and hardware, of SPY-6(V)1 deployed on Burke III. She features a better resolution in expanded range and enhanced anti-interference capability. When in low power mode, she would be a high concealment radar. SPY-6 is also with limited ECM/ESM capacities to improve her performance. When S-band radar has determined a potential target, as it's inbound for the range of SAM, DDG-1003 may utilize her 4 9 RMA antennae of X-band Lockheed Martine SPY-8(V)1 for better inspections or even a fire control illumination. If hostile objects are closing near the surface, SPY-8 which is set higher and with superior anti-clutter characteristcs would be easier to identify them when showed up from horizon. SPY-8(V)1 is a more advanced MFR featuring both as surface search radar and illuminator. Right below SPY-6 you can find elongated strips which are antennae of BAe SIF-1(V)2 Varied Band Integrated Transceiver arrays. This is a multi-band integrated phased array for satellite communications and a couple of SLQ-32(V)8 EW Suite sets. SLQ-32(V)8 shares many similarities with (V)7, but becomes more powerful and is suited for SIF-1(V)2 arrays. SIF(V)1 is used on USS Yorktown CVN-81. SLQ-32(V)8 is the most powerful shipboard EW system at the time that she is able to partially erase or deflect the ship's EW signature. 4 smaller antennae, designed for SIF-3 integrated array, are located on the top of deckhouse in the prismatic fairing, below Mk.59 EOSS and SPS-77(V)1 navigation radar. This array is mainly accomodated for HF/VHF/UHF comm and communication support.

As a air-defense focused destroyer, Guadalcanal pay less attention to her anti-submarine warfare. Nevertheless, this never means she is not capable of such tasks. AN/SQQ-93(V)1 ASW combat system is the first product of a series of new structure combat management system. Compared with AN/SQQ-89(V)16 on Miller class, SQQ-93 is more competent in a broader-area, battlegroup-scaled scenario. SQQ-93 may coordinate resources that doesn't belong to the destroyer herself. However, as a measure of cost-saving, DDG-1003 only use SQS-53E as bow sonar, a updated version of SQS-53C on Burke class. She also equips CAPTAS-4 towed array, which is broadly used by multiple customers.

Since Congress concerns about the reserve of fire power, and navy wants a flexible model that is suitable for varied kind of tasks, a modular-designed weapon system would be the best solution. No fixed armament is set on Guadalcanal's hull. From VLS to gun, they are all modularized in standardized containers. Mk.57 VLS for common missiles, like Standard or Tomahawk is the primary armament being used. A wider diameter launcher allows to utilize larger SAM like SM-7 Glide Phase Interceptor which can perform complicated maneuvers in intercepting hypersonic mobile warheads. She is compatible to Mk.41, either, in case that no sufficient Mk.57 replacement cells can be found on field. She doesn't equip with any main guns, although Mk.45 Mod 13 retractable turrent may be installed as a module. In most of the time, battery A is occupied by Mk.156 Mod 2 Super VLS for Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IR-CPS), or quadruple SM-2MR in Standard Mid-range Capacity Enhancement kit. IR-CPS is mainly dedicated for west-pacific environment. Someone may question about the decision to remove 127mm gun as a standard armament. Well, DDG-1003 is not designed for littoral operations but dedicated for sea control on high sea. Dealing with fast boats or small UAV isn't one of her primary missions. And she trusts other surface vessels, like Miller class to provide close-in air defense. She may use one or two RAM module(s) either, but this is not so typical. Phalanx module is feasible but hasn't been showed in any actual scenarios yet. Leonardo even proposed a 76mm over-deck gun module.

But even if those modules are not deployed, she still keeps a final defense line with 3 SEQ-6(V)2 Mod 3 HELIOS II 200MW Laser sets. Despite being a free-electron laser, the range of this directed energy weapon is still affected by weather and Earth curvature. However, it may reach a high-altitude target at aprox. 120km distance. It is not so efficient against multiple targets, but is cost-saving than most kinds of missiles.

324mm light weight torpedo launcher modules as well as 25mm remote weapon station modules are available at side stations, near RHIB bays. Seldom would people see those stations being occupied due to Guadalcanal's nature of roles in fleet operations.

DDG-1003 is also embarked with auxiliary vehicles, from multi-purpose Helicopter or Tiltrotor to Unmanned Underwater Vehicle. Smart is one of the most important aim in DDG-1003's auxiliary craft system. She can act as USV and UUV command ship in a broad battlefield. US Navy started to deploy several classes of LUSV as additional VLS carriers. They require Aegis ships as C4I nodes. A roll of dedicated consoles are utilized for such tasks. She also feature several areas in CIC for fleet AAW&BMD command and TFCC for fleet leaders.