U.S. Navy taps General Dynamics to build fifth DDG 51 destroyer
NewsDecember 27, 2018
BATH, Maine. U.S. Navy officials selected General Dynamics Bath Iron Works -- a business unit of General Dynamics -- to build a fifth DDG 51 destroyer as part of the multiyear award announced in September.
In the multiyear competition, BIW was awarded four ships. The Navy held a separate competition for an option ship as part of its commitment to growing the fleet. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer will be funded in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
There are currently five DDG 51 destroyers in production at Bath Iron Works: Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), John Basilone (DDG 122), Harvey C. Barnum (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127). The shipyard’s backlog includes Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) and the five ships that are part of the multiyear contract awarded this fall. BIW also is building the third Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002).