“It’s
exciting to see another Ingalls-built destroyer in the water,”
said DDG 51 Program Manager George Nungesser. “Our shipbuilders
have proven time and time again they can handle whatever it takes to
build, test and deliver these extremely complex warships. This launch
was no exception. Our hot production line is now in a good state as
we have three DDGs under construction and another one in pre-fabrication.
What our shipbuilders accomplish every day matters to our quality, cost
and schedule, and implementing our learning from ship to ship will allow
us to improve in every aspect of destroyer construction.”
Ingalls uses a safe and efficient method of launching ships and has
been using that process for more than 40 years. John Finn was moved
on rail cars from land to the company’s floating drydock a week
prior to launch. Shipbuilders then spent the next week preparing the
ship and dry dock for Saturday’s launch.
“This is the first DDG 51-class ship to launch in almost four
years, and we’re both proud and excited with the progress the
program is making,” said Capt. Mark Vandroff, the U.S. Navy’s
DDG 51-class program manager. “I look forward to John Finn joining
the fleet and the other ships of her class to continue in the legacy
of success that is the Arleigh Burke destroyer.”
Ingalls has delivered 28 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the Navy.
Destroyers currently under construction at Ingalls are John Finn (DDG
113), Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) and Delbert D.
Black (DDG 119). Just last week, Ingalls received a contract modification
funding the construction of the company’s 33rd destroyer, DDG
121.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships
that can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and
crisis management to sea control and power projection, all in support
of the United States’ military strategy. They are capable of simultaneously
fighting air, surface and subsurface threats. The ship contains myriad
offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense
needs well into the 21st century. |
