U.S. Navy Commissions Second Zumwalt-Class Destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor

The Navy’s next generation destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), during acceptence trials in the Atlantic Ocean, February 1, 2018. U.S. Navy Photo courtesy Bath Iron Works

The U.S. Navy has commissioned its second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, named USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), at Naval Air Station North Island, California.

Zumwalt-class destroyers are the most lethal and technologically-advanced destroyers ever constructed, with greater stealth, size, power and computing capacity compared to Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers.

The nearly 16,000-ton Michael Monsoor was built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship is 610 feet in length, has a beam of 87 feet, and a navigational draft of 27 feet. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce main turbine generators, two Rolls-Royce auxiliary turbine generators, two 34.6 MW advanced induction motors to speeds up to 30-plus knots.

The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Ramadi, Iraq, Sept. 29, 2006. At the ship’s 2008 naming ceremony, former Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter recognized Monsoor as “a consummate professional who faced terrorist enemies with aplomb and stoicism.”

Sally Monsoor, Michael Monsoor’s mother, served as the ship’s sponsor and delivered the time-honored first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

USS Michael Monsoor will be homeported at Naval Base San Diego, California.

The lead ship in Zumwalt-class, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) was delivered to the Navy 2014 and commissioned in 2016.

Bath Iron Works is also constructing a third Zumwalt destroyer, to be named USS Lyndon B. Johnson. Christening is scheduled for later this year.  

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