The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) from shipbuilder Bath Iron Works on May 28, more than two months ahead of schedule, the service announced.
The 509'6"x66' ship is the final Flight IIA variant of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the 77th hull in the class overall. The ship is equipped with four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines that produce a total of 100,000 shaft hp and propel the vessel to speeds of 31 knots.
Construction began at Bath Iron Works in November 2018, the keel was laid in March 2022, and the ship was christened in July 2024. Flight IIA ships, which cover DDG 79 through DDG 127, are distinguished from earlier variants by helicopter hangars for two MH-60 helicopters. The Navy is now transitioning to the Flight III configuration, which features the more advanced AN/SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar in place of the SPY-1D passive radar used on Flight IIA ships.
The early handoff of DDG 127 was made possible by an accelerated builder's sea trials program that combined hull, mechanical, electrical, and combat systems testing into a single consecutive effort rather than conducting each in sequence, according to the Navy.
William Mahan, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, credited collaboration between the Navy and the shipbuilder for the outcome. "Thanks to innovative collaboration between the Navy and industry, we're doing exactly that," he said, referencing direction from senior defense leadership to accelerate shipbuilding timelines.
Capt. Jay Young, DDG 51 Class program manager and Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Combatants, attributed the result to the ship's condition when it reached the water. "The ship's outstanding material condition during sea trials paved the way for accelerating ship delivery by over two months, which will allow the fleet to employ this capability even sooner," Young said. He added that the early delivery "signals our ongoing commitment to urgency in shipbuilding."
The Navy said the time gained gives the crew expanded opportunities for training and certification before the ship enters fleet service.
The vessel is named for Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick Gallagher, an Irish immigrant who received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Vietnam War after jumping on an enemy grenade and throwing it into a river to protect fellow Marines. He was killed in action a year later.
Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, continues to build several Flight III destroyers, including the Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), John E. Kilmer (DDG 134), Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136), J. William Middendorf (DDG 138), and USS Thomas G. Kelley (DDG 140).
