Program History

In 1991, Navy planners began developing operational requirements for the next generation of surface combatants (SC). These requirements were derived from a Joint Service context, based on threats envisioned for the littoral operating environment and the required 21st century warfighting capabilities as prioritized by the Fleet Commanders.

On 13 January 1995, the DAB approved the initiation of a COEA for the SC 21 Program to identify mission deficiencies, clarify requirements, and evaluate alternative ship concepts and force structures. The study recommended building a family of multi-mission surface combatants along with key performance parameters, including growth margins and an open system architecture. These recommendations were captured in the ORD KPPs.

The Navy’s strategy for acquiring DD 21 consisted of a phased competitive development process. Phase I (System Concept Design) and Phase II (Initial Systems Design) were executed in one agreement. Both phases involved two competing teams: the Blue Team, led by Bath Iron Works with Lockheed Martin Corporation as the systems integrator, and the Gold Team, led by Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc. with Raytheon Systems Co. as the systems integrator. At the completion of Phase II, the plan was to downselect between the two teams.

On 31 May 2001, the Under Secretary of the Navy suspended the DD 21 Program pending completion of a Shipbuilding Study, the Quadrennial Defense Review, and the Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Review.

In November 2001, ASN(RDA) restructured the DD 21 Program as the DD(X) Program to "...focus on technology development and maturation, including robust land-based and sea-based testing of prototype technologies that could be leveraged across multiple ship classes." In addition, the Navy was directed to conduct a Spiral Development Review (SDR) to permit early MS B activities; to revalidate ORD requirements; and to assess the merits of achieving various levels of capability across a family of multi-mission ships, including a Littoral Combatant Ship (LCS) and the air dominance Cruiser CG(X).

The RFP for Phase III of the restructured program was issued 30 November 2001. The first ship will be built in Phase IV, with the goal to award the Phase IV contract in FY05 after successfully completing MS B and the Critical Design Review.

The DD(X) contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman 29 April 2002. The award was protested by BIW on 9 May, causing a stay in contract execution. On 19 August 2002, the GAO denied BIW's protest and the contract stay was lifted.

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Last updated: 30-Aug-2004

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