Construction begins on Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

Construction of the US Navy’s future Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) officially began at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard on March 3.

The milestone was marked by a ceremony at BIW’s structural fabrication facility in Brunswick, Maine.

As explained, DDG 126 will be the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration at BIW.

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. This system delivers quick reaction time, high firepower, and increased electronic countermeasures capability for anti-air warfare.

The ship will honor Marine Corps General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his indomitable leadership and daring combat tactics in the Battle of Guam in 1944.

“This is a tremendous occasion as we mark the start of construction on BIW’s first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships.

“General Wilson embodied the spirit of our nation in his will to protect his fellow Marines and countrymen. What better way to honor him than to build a highly capable warship that advances our Navy’s ability to protect and defend our Nation.”

When operational, this multi-mission surface combatant will serve as an integral player in global maritime security, engaging in air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defense as well as providing increased capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, command and control, and anti-surface warfare.

BIW is currently in production on the future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), John Basilone (DDG 122), Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), as well as the Zumwalt class destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002).