Foreign object caused damage to DDG-1001 engine

Mysterious damage found in a Zumwalt-class destroyer's engine was caused by a "foreign contaminant," and the source of that object has not yet been discovered, according to the program manager for the ship class.

Capt. Kevin Smith, the program manager for destroyer class, told reporters yesterday at the Surface Navy Association symposium that the repair costs for the turbine engine in the Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will not "be anywhere near" the $20 million cost for replacing the engine itself. The particular engine that was damaged will be repaired and put on the shelf, according to Smith.

The damage to the Monsoor's engine was disclosed by Rear Adm. William Galinis, program executive officer for ships, last year at a Navy League event. At the time, Galinis said similar damage was not found on the other two destroyers in the Zumwalt class.

Smith stressed the damage did not impact the ship's performance during trials and was only discovered during a post-trial inspection.

Separately, Smith was also asked about the status of the Advanced Gun System, a weapon system initially planned for the Zumwalt class but largely set aside by the Navy due to the excessive costs of its ammunition.

Smith said there are considerations to replace it with an Mk 45 5-inch rail gun with hypervelocity projectiles, but no decisions have been made.