Built out of carbon fiber, the integrated deckhouse test article is a one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator consisting of the forward and aft sections of the deckhouse, including an aft face that is fully populated with antennas that were supplied by potential subcontractors.

"The radar cross section is a critical element in the stealth attributes of DD(X) and the excellent test results from this engineering development model confirm we continue to meet and exceed the planned targets and objectives," said Brian Cuccias, Northrop Grumman vice president and DD(X) program manager.

"The radar cross-section tests verify the Flight 1 deckhouse will meet its portion of the overall radar cross-section budget. We are extremely satisfied with the DD(X) program's successes to date and look forward to implementing these advanced technologies for our Navy and Marine Corp partners."

The tests, which took more than one year to prepare for, were performed at the Etcheron Valley Range facility at the Naval Air Warfare Center, in China Lake, Calif.

The test team included employees from Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, as well as representatives from the U.S. Navy's PMS 500 program office and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock division.

"This is the first time anything like the integrated deckhouse test article has ever been attempted and the results are extraordinary, particularly that something of this scale and complexity was built and worked the first time," said Barry Heaps, director of Northrop Grumman's Gulfport Composites Center for Excellence.

"All in all, the onsite team of Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Navy personnel adjusted very well to the rigors of the high desert and the aggressive work schedule and all have our appreciation for a job well done."

In partnership with the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Company, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems are leading a premier National Team to design DD(X) - a revolutionary multi-mission destroyer.

DD(X) technologies are currently in an advanced state of development and are destined to influence ship-design efforts around the world for the remainder of this century.

The National Team, which includes more than 100 U.S. companies from 45 states, understands the importance of the rapidly maturing DD(X) Program to our nation, and is proud of the historic role this vessel will play in the advancement of ship and ship-systems design.

The DD(X) National Team has successfully reached nearly a dozen incremental design-review milestones, highlighting the DD(X) National Team's commitment to staying on schedule and on cost, as well as the maturity and discipline of the program's approach to integrating unprecedented advanced technologies into the platform.

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