Huntington Ingalls Industries awarded a contract worth $936 million as part of Arleigh Burke-class destroyer construction
Huntington Ingalls Industries signed a $936 million contract for the construction of an additional Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) Flight III destroyer for the US Navy. In 2018, Ingalls signed a $5.1 billion contract for the construction of six Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers for the US Navy.
“We take great pride in the craftsmanship of our shipbuilders, and in the capabilities of our world-class shipyard. This contract award provides great momentum for Ingalls and our more than 600 suppliers, in nearly 40 states, as we enter the second half of the year. We continue to focus on high performance and providing the greatest value possible to our customers.” said Ingalls President Brian Cuccias.
Ingalls completed the deliveries of 32 destroyers to the Navy. Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) and Ted Stevens (DDG 128) are still under construction. Ingalls delivered Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) to the Navy in April.
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer
Guided missile destroyers are multifunctional platforms capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW).
Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers replaced the Charles F. Adams class (DDG 2). The Arleigh Burke class is designed with a new hull form that encompasses the propulsion systems of Spruance-class (DD 963) destroyers and the seamlessly integrated Aegis Weapon System (AWS) of Kidd-class (DD 993) destroyers. AWS consists of multifunction phased array radar, advanced AAW and ASW systems, VLS and Tomahawk Weapon System. DDG 51 was commissioned on July 4, 1991, and this class of destroyers is still being produced. The class has been constantly improved with advanced sensors, weapons and improved support systems.
Arleigh Burke class is completely made of steel construction. There are four variants or “Flight” available. DDG 51-71 represents the original design and is called Flight I destroyers. In addition, DDG 72-78 Flight II destroyers, DDGs 79-116 Flight IIA destroyers that are in service and will continue with 124 and 127 DDGs. Flight III will start with DDG 125-126. DDG 128 will be constructed later.
The uprade of DDG 51 Flight III is focused on the AMDR / SPY-6 (V) 1 Air and Missile Defense Radar system, which provides greatly increased capacity on DDG 51 Flight IIA ships. AMDR enables Flight III ships to perform Anti-Air Warfare and Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) at the same time.
