The keel of the U.S. Navy’s future Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), was authenticated during a ceremony at the Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard on November 16.
The ship’s keel was authenticated by Ms. Barbara Miller, wife of the former superintendent of the Naval Academy, Vice Adm. Michael Miller.
Medal of Honor recipient, Thomas Hudner, crash landed his plane in 1950 in an attempt to save the life of his wingman who was shot down by Chinese ground troops at the battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.
DDG 116 is the second of two Arleigh Burke class destroyers currently under construction at BIW. DDG 115, the future USS Rafael Peralta, was launched at BIW November 1.
As a Flight IIA ship, Thomas Hudner will be equipped with the Navy’s Aegis Combat System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system. This system delivers quick reaction time, high firepower and increased electronic countermeasures capability for Anti-Air Warfare.
DDG 116 started fabrication February 15, 2013, and will join the fleet in 2017 where she will serve as an integral player in global maritime security, engaging in air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defense.
As one of the U.S. Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft.
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Image: US Navy