Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) pictured during sea trials. Photo courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding
The US Navy has received its first Flight III destroyer, the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division.
The Flight III Destroyers were officially transferred to the Navy on June 27 after conducting a series of trials to demonstrate their readiness.
The Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) is the first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer being built for the U.S. Navy by Ingalls, and includes design modifications that provide enhanced capability. It contains offensive and defensive weapons, such as the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System, to support maritime defense needs.
DDG 125 is named for Pfc. Jack Lucas, the youngest Marine and serviceman in World War II to earn the Medal of Honor for his heroism at Iwo Jima. He returned to military service in 1961 as a Captain in the U.S. Army, training troops headed for Vietnam.
“Delivery of the future USS Jack H. Lucas is an historic occasion. As the Navy’s first Flight III destroyer, DDG 125 brings the most advanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability to the fleet,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “I am tremendously proud of the entire Navy and industry team for delivering this ship. The AEGIS Shipbuilding program has demonstrated yet again that it remains a world class organization and carries on the legacy of Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer that was established over fifty years ago. Build a little, test a little and learn a lot. Job well done!”
The Flight III upgrade for destroyers includes the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, as well as improvements to electrical power and cooling capacity.
Ingalls has delivered 35 destroyers to the U.S. Navy, with four Flight IIIs currently under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), and three more under construction at Ingalls: Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), and Sam Nunn (DDG 133).
“Delivering the first Flight III ship reflects the relentless efforts of our shipbuilders and those of our Navy and supplier partners,” said Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding. “We are committed to maintaining a consistent and resilient destroyer production team in order to be ready to support the Navy and our country.”
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