US Navy’s 1st Flight III destroyer wraps up acceptance trials

The future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) has completed acceptance trials, returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division on 18 May.

DDG 125 is the first Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer built in the Flight III configuration.

During acceptance trials, the ship and its crew performed a series of demonstrations for review by the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). INSURV uses these demonstrations to validate Navy specifications and requirements prior to delivery of the ship to the U.S. Navy.

The Flight III upgrade is centered on the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporates upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity. 

“As the first Flight III ship, the future USS Jack H. Lucas will bring cutting edge capability to the Fleet,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships.

“This week’s trials represent a significant milestone in demonstrating the ship’s readiness for delivery and beginning test and evaluation efforts.”

Ingalls is continuing production on future destroyers Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133).