General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has marked the start of fabrication for the future USS J. William Middendorf (DDG 138), the latest US Navy Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at the company’s Maine shipyard.

The ceremonial first steel-cutting took place on May 19 at Bath Iron Works’ Structural Fabrication Facility, officially launching construction activities for DDG 138. Frances Middendorf, daughter of the ship’s namesake and a sponsor of the vessel, activated the burning machine to cut the first ceremonial steel plate.