Lyndon B Johnson News

Ingalls Awarded Advanced Planning Contract for Zumwalt-Class Ships

HII announced its Ingalls Shipbuilding division was awarded a $10.5 million contract for the modernization period planning of Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).Zumwalt-class destroyers feature a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and are equipped with advanced warfighting technology and weaponry. These ships will be capable of performing a range of deterrence…

Ingalls Awarded DDG 1002 Combat Systems Availability Contract

Global defense and technologies partner HII announced on Monday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to begin the combat systems availability for the Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). During this availability, Ingalls will complete the installation, activation and testing of the combat systems to ensure a fully functional system is ready to operate in the Navy fleet, as part of the Navy’s phased delivery approach.“HII is excited to support our Navy colleagues in bringing this new capability to the fleet…

Course Correction for DDG 1000, Navy Will Replace Main Battery for Guided Missile Destroyer

The U.S. Navy’s controversial USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class of guided missile destroyers raises the legitimate question of whether a ship is too transformational, or not transformational enough.While the Navy Fact File states that DDG 1000 is the “largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world,” it’s a program that has been in existence for many years. It began as the SC-21 (Surface Combatant for the 21st century) research and development program in 1994, which included the “arsenal ship” concept.

Final Zulmwalt-class Destroyer Departs Bath Iron Works

The third and final Zulmwalt-class destroyer built for the U.S. Navy sailed away from General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard in Bath, Maine on Wednesday.Crewed by BIW shipbuilders, the warship Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is heading to Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding in in Pascagoula, Miss. for final outfitting, combat systems installation, testing and activation.At 610 feet long with an 80.7-foot beam and 15,995 metric tons displacement, Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) guided missile destroyers are the largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in U.S.

Future USS Lyndon B. Johnson Conducts Builder’s Trials

The U.S. Navy's future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) recently conducted builder’s trials, consisting of in-port and at-sea demonstrations that allow the shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the Navy to assess the ship’s systems.“Trials provide an opportunity for the Navy and industry team to test the capability and readiness of the ship,” Capt. Matthew Schroeder, DDG 1000 program manager, Program Executive (PEO) Ships. “DDG 1002 is a warship that is going to equip…

Future USS Daniel Inouye Completes Acceptance Trials

The future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) completed acceptance trials February 4 after spending a day underway off the coast of Maine.INSURV inspected the ship during a series of demonstrations while pier side and underway. Many of the ship’s onboard systems, including navigation, damage control, mechanical and electrical systems, combat systems, communications, and propulsion applications, were tested to validate performance and met or exceeded Navy specifications.“Following an outstanding Combined Alpha and Bravo trials this past December…

Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Zumwalt

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of its first Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on April 24 following Combat Systems Activation.The ship will transition to the next phase of developmental and integrated at-sea testing. This event marks a major milestone of the dual delivery approach for USS Zumwalt, which achieved Hull Mechanical & Electrical delivery from shipbuilder General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works in May 2016. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems was the prime contractor for the Zumwalt Combat System…

Bath Iron Works Begins Building Next US Navy Destroyer

Shipbuilder Bath Iron Works (BIW) has officially started construction of the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), the U.S. Navy announced. The new warship will be the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration at BIW.The milestone was marked by a ceremony on Tuesday at General Dynamics BIW's structural fabrication facility in Brunswick, Maine.Flight III destroyers will have improved capability and capacity to perform Anti-Air Warfare and Ballistic Missile Defense in support of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense mission.

USN to Commission Destroyer Paul Ignatius

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer -- arguably the most successful shipbuilding series in naval history -- the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), during a ceremony July 27 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL.The ship is named in honor of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics) 1964-1967, and Secretary of the Navy 1967-1969.Secretary of the Navy Richard V.

HII Delivers DDG 117 to U.S. Navy

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) to the U.S. Navy today with shipbuilders, ship’s force and representatives of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast in attendance.The signing of the DD 250 document officially transfers custody of the ship from HII to the Navy. Paul Ignatius is scheduled to sail away from the shipyard in June.DDG 117 is named in honor of Paul Ignatius, who served as the 59th Secretary of the Navy, from 1967 to 1969.

Bath Iron Works Wins Contract for Fifth DDG 51 Destroyer

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a contract to build a fifth DDG 51 destroyer as part of the multi-year award announced in September. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).In the most recent multi-year competition, BIW was awarded four ships. The Navy held a separate competition for an option ship as part of its commitment to growing the fleet. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer will be funded in the Fiscal…

US Navy’s Newest Destroyer Completes Acceptance Trials

The U.S. Navy's newest next generation destroyer completed acceptance trials on February 1, marking a significant milestone for second Zumwalt-class stealth warship ahead of expected delivery in the coming months. The U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey reviewed the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) and its crew during a series of demonstrations both pier side and underway, evaluating the ship's construction and compliance with Navy specifications. Many of the ship's onboard systems including navigation…

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

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.

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.

US Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Paul Ignatius

The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), today (Saturday)  CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The future USS Paul Ignatius is named in honor of the Honorable Paul Ignatius, who served as assistant secretary of defense for installations and logistics and later as secretary of the navy between 1967 and 1969, both under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ignatius had previously served as a commissioned lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. The future USS Paul Ignatius will be the first ship to bear his name. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson will serve as the principal speaker during the ceremony.

Bath Iron Works Lays Keel of DDG 1002

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works celebrated the keel laying of the third and final Zumwalt-class destroyer, future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), on January 30. The U.S. Navy named the ship in honor of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, credited with enacting major civil rights, education and public welfare legislation, including the Voting Rights Act and the creation of the Head Start Program and Medicare. President Johnson’s daughters, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, are the ship sponsors. A special steel plate containing the initials of the sisters was prepared for the ceremony. Assisted by Timothy Trask, a 30-year Bath Iron Works welder, the sponsors authenticated the laying of the keel by striking welding arcs onto the steel plate.

Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Paul Ignatius Launched

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.

US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Zumwalt

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the Navy's next-generation of multimission surface combatants, May 20. DDG 1000 is tailored for sustained operations in the littorals and land attack, and will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. Ship delivery follows extensive tests, trials and demonstrations of the ship's hull…

Ingalls Shipbuilding Begins Fabrication for Aegis Destroyer

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…

Cape May-Lewes Ferry Celebrates 50th

In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson was President; the Beatles first appeared on the Billboard Chart with I Want to Hold Your Hand; the World's Fair opened in New York and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry made its grand debut. On July 1, 1964, the very first ferry vessel departed the Lewes, Delaware terminal at 6:47 a.m. The ferry carried eight vehicles and 15 passengers. Since then, more than 43 million passengers and over 14 million vehicles have made the scenic, 17- mile, 85-minute trip across Delaware Bay to and from Victorian Cape May, NJ and historic Lewes, Delaware.

The Navy’s Battlewagon of the 21st Century

It is the newest and most transformational warship ever built, and yet it has also had the longest gestation period. Whether you call it new or old, you have to call it different. The pedigree for DDG 1000 is not from the Spruance or Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers, but rather it comes from the SC-21 (Surface Combatant for the 21st century) concept from 1994. Like DDG 1000, SC-21 was not about anti-air warfare. It was all about strike. SC-21, along with the Maritime Fire Support Demonstrator (MFSD) “arsenal ship” concept…

ZUMWALT: Maritime Reporter's 'Great Ship' of 2013

It is the newest and most transformational warship ever built, and yet it has also had the longest gestation period. Whether you call it new or old, you have to call it different. The pedigree for DDG 1000 is not from the Spruance or Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers, but rather it comes from the SC-21 (Surface Combatant for the 21st century) concept from 1994. Like DDG 1000, SC-21 was not about anti-air warfare. It was all about strike. SC-21, along with the Maritime Fire Support Demonstrator (MFSD) “arsenal ship” concept…

Ingalls Reports Third Quarter Results

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), a company that designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe, reported third quarter 2013 revenues of $1.64 billion, up 2.6% from the same period last year. Third quarter diluted earnings per share was $1.36, compared to $0.26 in the same period of 2012. Segment operating income in the third quarter was $142 million, compared to $89 million in the same period last year.