The DDG(X) program, officially designated as the Next-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer program within the United States Navy, is an ambitious initiative focused on developing a new class of surface combatant vessels. These ships are intended to replace the existing fleet, comprising 22 Flight II Ticonderoga-class cruisers and 28 Flight I/II Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The DDG(X) program is a crucial component of the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) initiative, which emerged following the cancellation of the CG(X) program, in conjunction with a significant reduction in the planned procurement of Zumwalt-class destroyers. The next-generation ships are envisioned to become the principal large surface combatants in the U.S. Navy, combining innovative technology with a design that permits substantial future upgrades.
In a noteworthy development on December 22, 2025, the Department of Defence, under the leadership of the second Trump administration, announced a proposal for a new class of vessels known as the Trump-class battleship. This proposal indicated that the Trump-class battleships would supersede the previous plans for the DDG(X) destroyer program. However, as of January 2026, the Trump-class remains merely a proposal and has yet to secure any funding or legislative approval, while the DDG(X) program continues to receive financial backing and is actively progressing through its development phases.
Design Specifications
The design phase of the DDG(X) program is marked by rigorous testing of various hull configurations at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre (NSWC) locations in Carderock and Philadelphia. A concept presented during the 2022 Surface Warfare Symposium highlighted an angular hull design with a significant displacement of 13,290 long tons (equivalent to approximately 13,500 metric tons). This design features a traditional bow and a superstructure reminiscent of the Zumwalt-class destroyers. Future adaptations of the vessel are being considered, including the potential implementation of extended lengths with payload modules that would enhance operational capabilities and mission versatility.
The DDG(X) design will synthesise critical design elements and lessons learned from both the Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt-class vessels. These next-generation ships will be configured to support larger missile launch systems, thereby enhancing survivability and providing significant margins in terms of space, weight, power, and cooling for future technological upgrades. Recognising their role as replacements for the Ticonderoga-class cruisers, the DDG(X) vessels will be equipped with facilities dedicated to air defence command and control, as well as accommodations suitable for an admiral's staff, thereby enhancing operational command and functionality.
Propulsion Systems
The propulsion system for the DDG(X) will use an Integrated Power System (IPS), which represents a modern turboelectric drive architecture like that deployed on the Zumwalt-class destroyers. This advanced system is expected to afford the DDG(X) vessels a range that is 50 per cent greater than that of current U.S. Navy destroyers, in addition to providing a 120 percent increase in time on station and a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption, thus enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.
Sensor Capabilities
The initial sensor suite of the DDG(X) will consist of enlarged variants of the AN/SPY-6 radar system, which is already deployed on the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The design of the hull will incorporate provisions for future sensor upgrades, including the possible integration of larger radar arrays, thus ensuring that the DDG(X) remains at the forefront of naval surveillance and combat capabilities.
Armament and Weapons Systems
According to the Navy's specifications, the baseline design for the DDG(X), like that of the Flight III DDG-51, is structured to include ninety-six standard Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells. Additionally, the design accommodates the capacity to incorporate twelve larger missile launch cells in place of thirty-two of the standard VLS cells. The vessels will be equipped initially with 32-cell blocks of the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, with conceptual imagery revealing that the design incorporates at least three of these blocks. It is noteworthy that, instead of the traditional Mk 41 blocks, large-cell launchers capable of accommodating hypersonic missiles may also be integrated, allowing for existing naval missiles such as the RIM-174 Standard ERAM and BGM-109 Tomahawk to be quad-packed into the larger canisters. This innovative design leverages advancements seen in both the Mk 41 Single Cell Launcher and the U.S. Army's Typhon missile launcher, which is part of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) program.
The conceptual renderings suggest that the vessels will be armed with a primary 127 mm/62 calibre Mark 45 Mod 4 naval gun. In line with evolving naval warfare capabilities, future iterations of the DDG(X) class may also explore the potential incorporation of directed energy weapons, featuring laser systems with power outputs ranging from 150 to 600 kW. A recent rendering released by the Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships and obtained by Naval News in early January 2025 indicated that the DDG(X) design may entirely omit the 5-inch Mark 45 naval gun, thus reflecting a shift in armament strategy as naval warfare evolves.
