General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a business unit of General Dynamics, announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded it a contract for the construction of three Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is awarded a fixed-price incentive (firm target) multiyear contract for construction of three DDG 51 class ships – one each in fiscal 2023, 2024, and 2026. There are currently six DDG 51 destroyers in production at Bath Iron Works: John Basilone (DDG 122), Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the Flight III ships Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130) and Quentin Walsh (DDG 132).
This contract includes options for engineering change proposals, design budgeting requirements, and post-delivery availabilities on the awarded firm multiyear ships. This contract also includes options for construction of additional DDG 51 class ships, which may be subject to future competition in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funding will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work is expected to be completed by December 2033.
“We appreciate the opportunity to build on our history of providing these highly advanced ships for the U.S. Navy fleet and are honored to do our part to contribute to protecting the nation and our families. Flight III destroyers have significant increased capability, and our skilled shipbuilders are committed to producing ships that meet the quality standards that our Navy Sailors deserve,” said Chuck Krugh, president of Bath Iron Works.
The Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) is an United States Navy class of destroyer centered around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function passive electronically scanned array radar. Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer technologies focus on offensive and defensive weapon systems and improved maritime warfare support to match advanced threats. The vessel was constructed with several modifications to enhance its capability compared to the navy’s previous guided-missile ships. Among the upgrades the Flight III configuration features are the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar next-generation radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System. The first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) delivered to the U.S. Navy.
