Zumwalt vs Arleigh Burke III
Stealth destroyer vs the fleet's proven workhorse
DDG-1000 Zumwalt
United States 路 In service 2016
The Zumwalt-class is the US Navy's stealthy land-attack destroyer, featuring a tumblehome hull, integrated power system, and advanced automation that reduces crew size to 140. Only three were built before the program was scaled back.
Arleigh Burke III
United States 路 In service 2024
The Arleigh Burke Flight III is the latest evolution of the US Navy's backbone surface combatant. It features the AN/SPY-6(V)1 AMDR radar, a massive upgrade over earlier Aegis variants, with significantly improved sensitivity for ballistic missile defense and air warfare.
Read full articleThe Matchup
The Zumwalt was supposed to be the future of the surface fleet. Instead, the Burke III carries on. How does the revolutionary-but-troubled Zumwalt compare to the evolutionary-but-reliable Burke III?
Performance Radar
Rating Breakdown
Specifications
| Specification | DDG-1000 Zumwalt | Arleigh Burke III |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 15,995 tons (full load) | 9,800 tons (full load) |
| VLS Cells | 80 Mk 57 peripheral VLS cells | 96 Mk 41 VLS cells |
| Main Gun | 2x 155mm AGS (being replaced by hypersonic CPS) | 1x 5-inch/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 |
| Speed | 30+ knots | 30+ knots |
| Crew | 140 | 329 |
| Length | 610 ft (186 m) | 509 ft (155 m) |
| Beam | 81 ft (24.6 m) | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Radar | AN/SPY-3 X-band + AN/SPY-4 S-band (VSR) | AN/SPY-6(V)1 AMDR AESA |
| Unit Cost | $4.4B (actual, including R&D amortization) | $2.2B (FY2023) |
Strengths & Weaknesses
DDG-1000 Zumwalt
Strengths
- + Radar cross section of a fishing boat despite 15,000-ton displacement
- + Integrated electric propulsion supports future energy weapons
- + Automated systems reduce crew to 140 (vs 329 on Burke)
- + Being retrofitted as first platform for Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles
Weaknesses
- - Only 3 built, extremely high per-unit cost
- - Original AGS gun ammunition program cancelled
- - Limited air defense capability compared to Aegis ships
- - Peripheral VLS limits missile reload options
Arleigh Burke III
Strengths
- + AN/SPY-6 radar offers 30x sensitivity improvement over SPY-1
- + Integrated air and missile defense capability
- + 96 VLS cells for Tomahawk, SM-2/3/6, ESSM, ASROC
- + Decades of proven Aegis Combat System maturity
Weaknesses
- - Very high unit cost approaching $2.2 billion
- - Hull design dating to 1980s limits growth potential
- - No integrated electric propulsion for future energy weapons
- - Large crew requirement compared to modern designs
Verdict
The Burke III wins on capability, cost-effectiveness, and proven systems. The Zumwalt's revolutionary technology came at too high a cost for too few ships, though its role as a hypersonic missile platform gives it new relevance.