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Ralph Johnson News

27 Jul 2022

From Surface to Subsea to Space: U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Outlook 2022

The Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) transit the Atlantic Ocean March 20, 2021, marking the first time a Ford-class and Italian carrier have operated together underway. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley McDowell)

As a rudderless U.S. Navy debates maritime strategy, fleet futures and platform performance, America’s naval shipbuilding industry can look forward to another year of relative stasis.Barring a major geopolitical incident or unexpected maritime provocation, government shipbuilding isn’t going to change course. With Admiral Michael Gilday approaching the final “lame duck” year of his four-year term as Chief of Naval Operations and the 2024 election season looming, the prospect for major changes in the Navy’s demand signal seems limited.Aside from the U.S.

27 May 2021

Ingalls Shipbuilding Names Blanchette VP of Quality and Engineering

Brian Blanchette has been promoted to vice president of quality and engineering at Ingalls Shipbuilding.  Prior to the promotion, Blanchette served as Ingalls’ director of technical and design engineering. (Photo: Derek Fountain/HII)

America's largest military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced Thursday that Brian Blanchette has been promoted to vice president of quality and engineering of its Ingalls Shipbuilding division.Blanchette will be responsible for the management and oversight of the division’s quality program as well as all ship design, engineering, integrated logistics support and planning yard engineering efforts at the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. He will relieve Dave Belanger upon his retirement in July.Blanchette served most recently as Ingalls’ director of technical and design engineering…

16 Jul 2018

Guided Missile Destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. Launched

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) on Friday. (Photo: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) on Friday.Frank E. Petersen Jr. was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to a floating dry dock. Once on, the dry dock was moved away from the pier, and it was ballasted down to float the ship.“This is the one of the most significant milestones in the life of any ship,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

23 Mar 2018

US Navy to Commission USS Ralph Johnson

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), during a ceremony Saturday, March 24, at Columbus Street Pier in Charleston, S.C. Ralph Johnson, the 65th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be commissioned, will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Ralph Johnson will be capable of engaging in air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities. The future USS Ralph Johnson honors Marine Corps Pfc.

17 Jan 2018

GE Ships LM2500 Marine Gas Turbine for US Navy

GE LM2500 GT hanging angle shot (Photo: GE Marine)

GE's Marine Solutions division said it has shipped a LM2500 marine gas turbine propulsion module that will help power the U.S. Navy's 75th DDG Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). Shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division will construct this new destroyer with U.S. Navy Flight III upgrades incorporated. Each DDG destroyer features four GE LM2500 marine gas turbines in a combined gas turbine and gas turbine (COGAG) configuration. "Since 1991 - for just the U.S.

10 Jan 2018

GE Marine Gas Turbine for New US Navy Destroyer

LM2500 (Photo: GE Marine)

GE’s Marine Solutions said it has shipped a LM2500 marine gas turbine propulsion module that will help power the U.S. Navy’s 75th DDG Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the company reported at the Surface Navy Association’s 30th Annual Symposium. Shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division will construct this new destroyer with U.S. Navy Flight III upgrades incorporated. Each DDG destroyer features four GE LM2500 marine gas turbines in a COmbined Gas turbine And Gas turbine (COGAG) configuration. “Since 1991 – for just the U.S.

15 Nov 2017

US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Ralph Johnson

The Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Nov. 15. In early September, DDG 114 successfully demonstrated its ship's systems and readiness during a series of at sea and in-port trials for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Due to the success of the trials, INSURV recommended the ship be accepted for delivery to the U.S. Navy. "The namesake of this ship is a true American patriot who sacrificed his life for the safety of his fellow Marines and his country," said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. DDG 114's namesake, Pfc. Ralph H.

31 Jul 2017

New US Navy Destroyer Passes Builders Trials

Ingalls Shipbuilding completed builder's sea trials for Ralph Johnson (DDG 114). The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer spent more than three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing the ship’s main propulsion, combat and other ship systems. (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)

The U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) has successfully passed builder’s sea trials. The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer spent more than three days in the Gulf of Mexico, as Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division tested the ship’s main propulsion, combat and other ship systems. “It’s always a great accomplishment when our shipbuilders successfully take a ship to sea for the first time,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said.

28 Jun 2017

US Navy Orders First ‘Flight III’ Destroyer

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division will build Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first “Flight III” ship in the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke class of destroyers. (HII rendering)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a contract modification to incorporate the “Flight III” upgrades to the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). The ship is the fifth of five destroyers the company was originally awarded in June 2013. “We have proven our success in the DDG 51 class over the past 30 years, and our shipbuilders are ready now to build the first Flight III ship,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. “This will be the 35th Aegis destroyer we will build for the U.S.

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

09 Apr 2017

Huntington Christens Paul Ignatius

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)'s Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened its 31st Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), with approximately 1,000 guest in attendance at today’s ceremony. “These Arleigh Burke destroyers provide our leaders with the ability to conduct a wide range of missions,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson. “That kind of flexibility is increasingly important in the world of maritime competition. … USS Ignatius and her crew will be doing the nation’s work, providing credible options to our nation’s leaders for decades to come. They’ll be respected always, welcome news to our friends and a worst nightmare to our enemies.

27 Jan 2017

Ingalls starts work on destroyer Higbee for US Navy

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially started fabrication of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) on Wednesday. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut. “Starting fabrication on another destroyer is a great way to start the year,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. “Ingalls has delivered 29 of these ships to the U.S. Navy, and our hot production line continues to improve the construction process. The ship is named in honor of Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. Higbee joined the U.S.

09 Dec 2016

US Navy Destroyer John Finn Delivered

Ingalls Shipbuilding's 29th Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer John Finn (DDG 113) sails the Gulf of Mexico during Alpha sea trials. (Photo: Lance Davis/HII)

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on December 7, the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer DDG 113 after completing three sets of at-sea and in-port trials which proved the ship's operational readiness. The ship is the 63rd DDG 51-class destroyer and the first of the DDG 51 Flight IIA restart ships.

16 Nov 2016

Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Paul Ignatius Launched

The Ingalls-built destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) launched at first light November 12, 2016. (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), the company’s 31st Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer, on Saturday. “The DDG 51 program provides our U.S. Navy customer and our nation a series of highly advanced and capable warships,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “For 30 years, our talented shipbuilders have been building these much-needed, quality destroyers. Paul Ignatius was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to a floating dry dock.

11 Nov 2016

US Warship John Finn Passes Acceptance Trials

The five-inch MK 45 naval gun system aboard the destroyer John Finn (DDG 113) was tested during the second of three planned sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)

The U.S. Navy’s new guided missile destroyer John Finn (DDG 113) has completed its third and final round of sea trials following two days testing various systems in the Gulf of Mexico. “The success of DDG 113 acceptance trials moves us one step closer to delivering a quality, state-of-the-art surface combatant to the U.S. Navy,” said Brian Cuccias, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries and builder of the new Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer.

19 Sep 2016

Medal of Honor for Two Destroyers

In a ceremony at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 125, will be named Jack H. Lucas in honor of the Marine Corps hero and Medal of Honor recipient. Mabus also announced that DDG 126 would be named Louis H. Wilson Jr. in honor of the 26th commandant of the Marine Corps who was also a Medal of Honor recipient. During World War II, Lucas, then a private first class in the Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor at age 17 for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Iwo Jima. During a close firefight with Japanese forces, Lucas saved the lives of three fellow Marines when, after two enemy hand-grenades were thrown into a U.S.

15 Sep 2016

Ingalls Wins USS Ramage Overhaul Contract

Ingalls Shipbuilding has been awarded a $14 million base contract to perform overhaul work on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61). USS Ramage was originally built at Ingalls Shipbuilding and delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1995. Photo by HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $14 million base contract to perform an extended selected restricted availability on the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61). With all options exercised, the total contract value would be $21.4 million. USS Ramage was originally built at Ingalls and delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1995. “Ingalls has a longstanding tradition in the overhaul/modernization business,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

04 Apr 2016

US Navy Destroyer DDG 114 Christened

Ship Sponsor Georgeann McRaven christens DDG 114, the destroyer named for Medal of Honor recipient Ralph Johnson. Also pictured (left to right) are Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley; Cmdr. Jason Patterson, the ship’s prospective commanding officer; Helen Richards, Ralph Johnson’s sister; and Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. (Photo by HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the company’s 30th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer, Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), April 2 in front of approximately 1,000 guests. “It’s been more than a quarter century since the start of construction of Ingalls’ first Arleigh Burke destroyer, the Barry (DDG 52),” said Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, who delivered the ceremony’s principal address.

30 Mar 2016

Ingalls Awarded $618 Mln to Build DDG 123

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $618 million contract modification to fund construction of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer DDG 123 for the U.S. Navy. The ship is the fourth of five destroyers the company was awarded in June 2013. Ingalls previously was awarded $55 million in advance procurement for DDG 123, making the full contract $673 million. “This will be the 34th Arleigh Burke destroyer built at Ingalls, and we thrive on this experience,” said George Nungesser, Ingalls' DDG 51 program manager. “Maintaining the same shipbuilding teams from ship to ship is paying dividends to our learning curve. The U.S.

01 Apr 2016

Navy to Christen Guided Missile Destroyer

The Navy will christen its newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Saturday, April 2, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship will be christened by the ship sponsor, Georgeanne McRaven. The Honorable Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition will deliver the principal address. "The christening of the future USS Ralph Johnson represents yet another example of how our Navy's partnership with the highly-skilled shipbuilders of our nation continues to help us grow our fleet," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. The future Ralph Johnson is the 64th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The ship will commission in 2017 and will be homeported in Everett, Washington.

04 May 2015

John Finn Christened at Ingalls Shipyard

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the company's 29th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer, John Finn (DDG 113), May 2 in front of nearly 1,000 guests. DDG 113 is named John Finn after the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II. Finn received the honor for machine-gunning Japanese warplanes for over two hours during the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor despite being shot in the foot and shoulder and suffering numerous shrapnel wounds. He retired as a lieutenant after 30 years of service and died at age 100 in 2010. "I often speak to the members of the Chief Petty Officer Mess about the characteristics of a leader and…

01 Oct 2014

Ingalls Shipbuilding Begins Fabrication for Aegis Destroyer

Paul and Nancy Ignatius (seated); also pictured (left to right): Lance Carnahan, Robert Velazquez, David Ignatius, Dr. Elisa Ignatius, Sarah Ignatius, George Nungesser, Capt. Mark Vandroff, Cmdr. Ben Wilder and Rear Adm. David J. Gale. (Photo by Lance Davis/HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division today marked the start of fabrication for the future Aegis-guided missile destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). Paul Ignatius, the ship's namesake, and his wife, Nancy Ignatius, the ship's sponsor, visited the shipyard to see steel cut for the destroyer. Paul Ignatius is the 31st Aegis destroyer to be built at Ingalls. The start of fabrication signifies the first 100 tons of steel cut. From this point, shipbuilders will assemble the destroyer using modular construction…

15 Dec 2015

Ingalls Launches US Navy Destroyer Ralph Johnson

Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) on Saturday. The ship is scheduled to be christened in the spring of 2016. (Photo: Andrew Young/HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), the company’s 30th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer, on Saturday. Ingalls has built and delivered 28 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. There are currently four more under construction at Ingalls, including Ralph Johnson, which is scheduled to be christened in the spring of 2016. John Finn (DDG 113) was christened in May and is expected to undergo sea trials in 2016.