When it comes to naval capacity, the more the better. Platforms like guided-missile destroyers (DDG) are critical to the U.S. Navy’s missions and America’s defense-industrial base. The Navy is considering transitioning procurement to the next-generation surface combatant, called DDG(X), in fiscal 2032, following the model of the Boeing 737 airliner to ensure scalability, affordability, and relevance for these ships.
Similarities between airliner manufacturing and destroyer construction include corporate duopolies, large-scale production, detailed assembly, and evolving designs from successful predecessors. Incremental innovation leveraging new technologies is key to mitigating risk, avoiding obsolescence, and keeping pace with requirements for both platforms.
Using current destroyer designs as a starting point allows for efficiencies in production, training, crewing, and maintenance. The stable Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51 blueprint enables the Navy to work on multiple hulls simultaneously, achieving economies of scale similar to airlines operating fleets almost entirely of 737 variants.
Iterative design must consider growth potential in size, weight, and power, as demonstrated by the ongoing success of the Boeing 737 and DDG-51 hull designs. Incremental innovation minimizes risk and keeps supply chains strong, ensuring business predictability, system readiness, and reliability for naval platforms.
Building off stable platform designs attracts allies and fosters collaboration, benefiting from shared requirements, affordable growth, and reduced risk. Proven production methods also help control costs, avoid delays, and increase fleet capacity on time and on budget.
The Navy should prioritize quality control and safety cultures when considering the next large surface combatant, focusing on proven designs that leave room for growth. Innovating on successful predecessors is a pragmatic way to expand warship capacity while mitigating risks and ensuring surprises are kept to a minimum.
