The future USS Zumwalt, a first-of-class destroyer and lead ship of next-generation multi-mission surface combatants, has been delivered to the U.S. Navy.

Delivery from General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works took place late last week following extensive tests, trials and demonstrations.

The vessel will now remain at Bath Iron Works for a crew certification period before commissioning in mid-October.

"Today [Friday] represents a significant achievement for not only the DDG 1000 program and shipbuilding team but for the entire U.S. Navy," said Rear Adm. (select) Jim Downey, DDG 1000 program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. "This impressive ship incorporates a new design alongside the integration of sophisticated new technologies that will lead the Navy into the next generation of capabilities."

Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) ships are tailored for sustained operations in the littorals and land attack, and will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces.

The shape of the superstructure and the arrangement antennas helps reduce detection by radar. It uses an integrated power system that distributes 1,000 volts of direct current across the vessel. The IPS' unique architectural capabilities include the ability to allocate all 78 megawatts of installed power to propulsion, ship's service, and combat system loads from the same gas turbine prime movers based on operational requirements.

Zumwalt-class ships will feature a battery of two advanced gun systems capable of firing long-range land attack projectiles, and as many as 80 Advanced Vertical Launch System cells for Tomahawk missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, Standard Missiles, and Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rockets.

The ships will use active and passive sensors and a multi-function radar system.

Bath Iron Works is under contract to build two follow-on Zumwalt-class destroyers, the future Michael Monsoor and the Lyndon B. Johnson.