During the Future Fleet Panel at SNA 2026, key U.S. Navy leaders discussed the BBG(X) Battleship, a new class of ships aimed at enhancing naval capabilities. Chris Miller, Executive Director at Naval Sea Systems Command, and Rear Admirals Derek Trinque, Brian Metcalf, and Peter Small presented essential details about the vessel.
Overview of the BBG(X) Battleship
The BBG(X) is designed to include advanced command and control facilities, addressing concerns as older Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers retire. Unlike the Iowa Class battleships, which focused primarily on strike capabilities, the BBG(X) will act as a command node while also maintaining offensive strike capabilities.
- Type: Trump-Class Battleship
- Design Purpose: Command and Control, Offensive Capability
- Retired Class: Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers
Design and Armament Details
Rear Admiral Derek Trinque emphasized that the BBG(X) is not merely a revival of past designs but a necessary evolution. The ship’s armament includes:
- 128 MK-41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells
- 12 Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missile rounds
- Two 300kW or 600kW lasers
- 32 Megajoule Railgun with high-velocity rounds
The 128 MK-41 cells are distributed across three blocks. The largest VLS bank is situated above the helicopter hangar, followed by allocations in the amidships and bow.
Specifications and Capabilities
The BBG(X) is expected to measure approximately 860 feet in length and 110 feet in beam. With a displacement exceeding 35,000 tons, it aims for a maximum speed of 30 knots. These specifications pose challenges concerning power plant requirements due to the substantial energy demands of its weapons and sensors.
Program Evolution and Challenges
The development of the BBG(X) reflects an evolution from previous designs, particularly the DDG(X). The need for substantial space and capabilities meant that including all desired systems in a single vessel was infeasible. RADM Trinque noted the difficulties of integrating the MK-41 VLS, CPS, and artillery within the constraints of a 13,500-ton weight class.
- Major Design Challenge: Space and Capability Integration
- Weight Class Limitation: 13,500 tons
Construction Insights
The planned class size for the BBG(X) ranges from 15 to 25 vessels, and the construction is viewed as a significant but achievable effort. The Navy expects to collaborate with various vendors and shipyards to ensure efficient assembly. Involvement from foreign partners is being considered, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Rear Admiral Metcalf stressed that construction and design processes will be de-centralized, allocating certain decisions to lower levels within the shipbuilding hierarchy. This approach leverages the extensive knowledge and labor required to build the BBG(X).
Overall, the BBG(X) Battleship aims to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s future fleet, representing a pivotal development in naval warfare capabilities.
