The DDG(X) or Next-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer program of the United States Navy aims to develop a class of surface combatants to succeed 22 Flight II s and 28 Flight I/II s. The program is the culmination of the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) initiative that followed the cancellation of CG(X) and curtailing of the procurement of the s. The ships will become the principal large surface combatants of the U.S. Navy. Compared to their predecessors, they will incorporate more powerful sensors and have more room and weight margin for growth.
On 22 December 2025, the Department of Defense under the second Trump administration announced a , stating that "the new Trump-class battleships will replace the Navy's previous plans to develop a new class of destroyer, the DDG(X)." the Trump class remains a proposal and has not received any funding or congressional approval, with the DDG(X) program still funded and ongoing. In the FY2026 budget justification books, the Navy's documents said that "A formal acquisition strategy for DDG(X) is still being developed", indicating the intent to proceed with the program despite their prior statements.
History With the cancellation of the CG(X) in 2010, the U.S. Navy embarked on new studies and programs for the future of the air defense role fulfilled by the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. Because the cruisers were built on the hulls, they had limited upgrade potential due to space, weight, and power margins.
Meanwhile, the procurement of the Zumwalt-class destroyers was severely curtailed due to high costs and a renewed emphasis on air and missile defense for larger combatants. Eventually, the Navy chose to upgrade the Ticonderogas and procure the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with the enhanced AN/SPY-6 and improved combat systems to supplement the Ticonderogas for air and missile defense.
The Navy also launched studies into a Future Surface Combatant (FSC) to replace the Ticonderoga-class—which will reach the end of their service lives in the 2020s—as well as older flights of the Arleigh Burke class. The FSC evolved into the Large Surface Combatant (LSC) program, which became the DDG(X). The DDG(X) program office was established in June 2021. In February 2022, Gibbs & Cox was contracted to provide design and engineering support. The Navy is retaining the lead design role.
Design Hull Various hull configurations are currently being tested at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock and NSWC Philadelphia. A concept presented at the 2022 Surface Warfare Symposium depicts an angular hull form with displacement of , a conventional bow and a superstructure reminiscent of the Zumwalt-class destroyer. Future vessels of the class may be lengthened with a payload module for additional capabilities.
The DDG(X) hull design will incorporate lessons and elements from both the Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt designs. The vessels will be able to accommodate larger missile launch systems, improved survivability, and space, weight, power, and cooling margins for future growth. As the ships will replace the Ticonderoga-class cruisers, they will have air defense command and control facilities and accommodations for an admiral's staff.
Propulsion The DDG(X) will use Integrated Power System (IPS), a modern integrated turboelectric drive as employed on the Zumwalt class. The vessels are expected to have 50% greater range, a 120% greater time on station, and a 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to current U.S. Navy destroyers.
Sensors The sensors will initially be enlarged variants of the AN/SPY-6 radar mounted on the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The hull is designed with provisions for upgraded sensors in the future, including larger radar arrays.
With the introduction of Hypersonic Missiles the Navy is considering adding the growth cell to the DDG(X) which is larger then the Mk41 cell it would be able to carry 12 CPS or LHRW Anti ship or hypersonic cruise missiles giving the ship 64 mk41 and 12 large growth cell which can quadpack large missiles such as SM-3/SM-6
See also Aegis system equipped vessels (ASEV) Cruiser Baseline CG(X) SSN(X) KDDX-class destroyer Type 055 destroyer Type 83 destroyer Project 18-class destroyer
References
External links DDG(X) NAVSEA web page