USS William Charette: keel laid for new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at Bath Iron Works.

According to information published by the US DoD on August 29, 2024, the keel for the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was laid during a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, Maine.
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Keel-laying ceremony of the destroyer USS William Charette. (Picture source: Dvids)

The USS William Charette is part of the DDG 51 Flight III series, which features the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar system, along with significant upgrades to its electrical power and cooling systems to enhance its warfighting capabilities.

The ship joins several others under construction at Bath Iron Works, including the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), USS Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), USS John E. Kilmer (DDG 134), and USS Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136).

USS William Charette

She will be a naval vessel with a full load displacement of 9,217 tons, 510 feet (160 meters) in length and 66 feet (20 meters) in beam. The ship's propulsion will rely on four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, generating a total of 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000 kW), enabling it to achieve speeds of up to 31 knots (57 km/h or 36 mph).

The vessel will have a complement of around 380 officers and enlisted personnel. Its armament will be extensive, including a 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 lightweight gun, a 20 mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), two 25 mm Mk 38 machine gun systems, and four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns for close-range defense.

About the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers

These guided-missile destroyers are built around the Aegis Combat System, which allows them to engage in a wide range of missions, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. The class was introduced in the late 1980s and has since replaced several older destroyer classes, such as the Spruance, Kidd, and Adams destroyers.

The Arleigh Burke-class is divided into several "flights" or versions, with each successive flight incorporating technological improvements and upgrades.

Currently, the Navy is in the process of transitioning from the Arleigh Burke-class to the next-generation DDG(X) destroyers. This transition is being carefully managed to avoid a gap in production, ensuring that the Navy's shipbuilding capabilities and fleet readiness remain intact.

The DDG(X) program aims to build on the capabilities of the Arleigh Burke class while introducing new technologies and designs, such as an updated hull and power systems.