I have just read on www.navy.mil that the US Navy has launched PCU Zumwalt, DDG-1000, the first of 3 Zumwalt class destroyers, without any fanfare (champagne over the bow etc).
They cancelled the ships christening ceremony due to the recent partial government shutdown. The christening ceremony will be rescheduled for the spring. Bath Iron Works will continue working on the ship throughout winter with sea trials due to commence next winter. A year tied up to a dock is a very long time for something worth what these ships cost.
Look at the size of this bad boy, compare it to the tugboat next to the bow in the photo below for an idea of scale.
The ship is 610 feet long and weighing in at 15,610 tons. In comparison the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer is 498 feet long and weights 8,000 tons. The Zumwalts are going to be 100 feet plus larger than the largest destroyer built previously.
The design of the Zumwalt reminds me of the USS Cunningham DDG-79 from the Amanda Garrett novels by James Cobb. I wonder if there is a plaque saying Designed by James Cobb.