“We are appreciative of the support that the Maine Congressional delegation has provided to the DDG program. The delegation’s commitment to national defense and their advocacy on behalf of the workers of Maine continues to be an important factor in ensuring the stability of U.S. naval shipbuilding,” Geiger said.

DDG 51 multi-mission guided missile destroyers operate in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups, providing a complete array of anti-submarine (ASW), anti-air (AAW) and anti-surface (SuW) capabilities. Designed for survivability, the ships incorporate all-steel construction and have gas turbine propulsion. The combination of the ships’ AEGIS combat system, the Vertical Launching System, an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, two embarked SH-60 helicopters, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk anti-ship and land-attack missiles make the Arleigh Burke class the most powerful surface combatant ever put to sea.

[mappress] Source: gd, September 28, 2011