If you wonder what this massive destroyer is figuring on Techworm. Well the Zumwalt computers are fully powered by Linux. Everything on Zumwalt including its weapons array and radar systems is powered by Linux. Even the destroyer’s onboard navigation system is powered by computers running Linux operating system though the Navy has not disclosed which distro of Linux is powering the destroyers computers. During the month of October, the Navy will commission the Zumwalt in Baltimore. Between now and then, the ship’s crew will use the next four months to train with their new vessel, under the command of Captain James Kirk (do not let the name fool you into thinking that he’s the character from Star Trek). According to Sam LaGrone of The U.S. Naval Institute news, the following has been stated about the new Zumwalt Destroyer and its aim: The Zumwalt, and the two other ships of its class, are designed to have about half the crew of existing destroyers in the U.S. Navy. Major automation of the ship makes this possible, as does the ship’s tremendous amount of on-board electrical power. In fact, while it’s equipped with missiles and guns now, it is highly possible that the destroyer could be equipped with lasers or rail guns in the future to make it more combat effective. One of the biggest disadvantages of this destroyer lies in its unique body shape, which is known as a ‘tumblehome’. These designs are hardly implemented in destroyers because sometimes they flip over in stormy seas, but this has yet to happen. What we’re really excited to see are the new additions of lasers and rail guns, and perhaps the authorities could be kind enough to provide a visual demonstration of the destroyer. US Navy has actually shown the most innovative way of combining technology with naval security by using an operating system like Linux to create its most expensive and out of the world Naval destroyer DDG-1000 Zumwalt. popsci
