On May 23, 2007, nine U.S. warships entered the Persian Gulf to conduct exercises off Iran's coast. The flotilla consisted of two nuclear aircraft carriers, two guided-missile cruisers, three amphibious assault vessels, a fast-attack submarine and two guided-missile destroyers: the USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and the USS Higgins (DDG 76). Both destroyers belong to the Arleigh-Burke class, the most advanced surface combatant sailing the seas today. They measure 465 feet long and feature four gas turbines turning two shafts, integrated missile guidance systems and multi-function phased array radar. And, if the U.S. Navy has its way, they could soon be overshadowed by an even more potent class of destroyer -- a type of ship specifically designed for operations like the one conducted in the waters near Iran.
Zumwalt class destroyer
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Federal Government
The Zumwalt class destroyer will be the most sophisticated warship in naval history. See more Navy ship pictures.

The ship will be known as the Zumwalt class destroyer, named in honor of Admiral Elmo R. "Bud" Zumwalt Jr., Chief of Naval Operations from 1970 to 1974. It will be the most sophisticated warship in naval history and may be sailing with the U.S. fleet in as little as five years. In this article, we'll take a look at this next-generation destroyer -- both inside and out -- to see how it will support national security and military strategies.

Video Gallery: Other Strides in
Military Technology
Battleships are not the only equipment getting updated technology. The U.S military is fighting a new kind of warfare in that they're fighting a public war and thus have to be much more precise during combat missions. For example, pilots in F-18s are using digital cockpits to help process tremendous amounts of real-time information. See how Elbit Systems of America works in this video from World Business Review.

The Missile Defense Agency is also working to improve the U.S. military's defenses. In this video, see how the Missile Defense Agency works, and here you can see a video describing one of its latest technologies.