HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials for the guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), marking a major milestone in the construction of the U.S. Navy’s second Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
The trials, held in the Gulf of Mexico, spanned several days and tested the ship’s engineering, navigation, and combat systems. The results will pave the way for acceptance trials and eventual delivery to the U.S. Navy.
Advancing the Flight III Program
Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers bring enhanced capabilities, including:
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AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR)
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Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System
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Improved mechanical, electrical, and combat systems designed to meet evolving 21st-century threats.
Ben Barnett, Ingalls DDG Program Manager, commended the effort:
“The Ingalls and Navy team worked diligently to get DDG 128 ready for sea. Their determination reflects the urgency we all share in delivering these ships with the highest quality and technological advancements to support the U.S. Navy fleet.”
Building on a Strong Legacy
Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June 2023. Five additional Flight III destroyers are under construction:
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Ted Stevens (DDG 128)
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Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129)
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George M. Neal (DDG 131)
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Sam Nunn (DDG 133)
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Thad Cochran (DDG 135)
Earlier this month, HII announced partnerships with shipyards and fabricators across several states to increase throughput and meet growing U.S. Navy demand.
Ingalls’ Role in U.S. Naval Power
As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has been designing, building, and maintaining amphibious ships and destroyers for over 86 years. The builder’s trials for USS Ted Stevens validated critical systems — from hull and mechanical performance to the Flight III radar array — ensuring the ship is fully compliant with U.S. Navy requirements.
