US Navy Commissions First Flight III Arleigh Burke Destroyer

The US Navy has commissioned USS Jack H Lucas (DDG-125), its first Flight III variant Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, in Tampa, Florida.

The guided-missile destroyer incorporates upgraded electrical energy and cooling programs, in addition to an AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Protection Radar, the navy’s next-generation radar system.

The destroyer can also be fitted with Lockheed Martin’s upgraded AEGIS Weapon System Baseline 10 software program, which controls the entire ship’s weapons suite and supplies a wider view of potential threats at a higher distance.

DDG-125 is about to hitch the navy’s floor fleet for improved peacetime presence and nationwide safety.

🍾 Tune in at this time at 10:00 a.m. EST for the USS Jack H. Lucas commissioning!

🚢 DDG 125 is the primary naval warship to bear the title of USS Jack H. Lucas, who served within the @USMC throughout WWII.

📺 Hyperlink to Webcast https://t.co/p9ltH8w1mE pic.twitter.com/OGf3e2cXqr

— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) October 7, 2023

Safeguarding the Waters

Navy Undersecretary Erik Raven led the ship’s commissioning ceremony, stressing the significance of DDG-125’s function within the US’ push for superior protection protocols.

“Commissioning the Jack H. Lucas means we proceed to ship quick, agile, and networked floor combatants to the Navy. The Jack H. Lucas is constructed to combat. It’s a quick, maneuverable, versatile, and deadly ship – able to tackling any mission it’s given,” he stated.

“It’ll preserve the Navy and Marine Corps adaptive and prepared, and likewise uphold our dedication to sustaining the free movement of commerce, deterring navy aggression, and facilitating fast responses to pure disasters throughout the globe.”

An Enduring Line

DDG-125’s commissioning comes after its on-sea acceptance trials again in Could.

The Arleigh Burke-class ships maintain the document for the longest manufacturing run for any US Navy floor combatant, having accomplished 73 ships since its manufacturing in 1988.

4 extra Flight III destroyers are set to be commissioned by the US Navy, particularly USS Ted Stevens (DDG-128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG-129), George M. Neal (DDG-131), and Sam Nunn (DDG-133).