HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129) on June 28 in Pascagoula, Miss. The shipbuilder noted in a press release that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is the third Flight III vessel built at the shipyard and the 36th Arleigh Burke destroyer delivered or under construction by Ingalls.
The ship is named after former U.S. Senator and Vietnam War veteran Jeremiah Denton Jr., who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism as a prisoner of war. Following his military service, Denton was elected to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in 1980.
“Today, we honor the skilled work of our Ingalls shipbuilders and the enduring spirit of Adm. Jeremiah Denton,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Blanchette. “When we christen a ship, we celebrate a joint mission with our Navy industry partners, one that connects the work we do here in Pascagoula to the safety and security of our nation and the free world.”
Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers are equipped with the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System.
The 513’x66’ Arleigh Burke-class destroyer displaces 9,217 tons. Four GE LM2500 gas turbines produce a total of 75,000 kW, which generate a speed of 31 knots. The vessel accommodates 380 officers, as well as two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters inside a double hanger and helipad.
The vessel’s onboard guns include one 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 (lightweight gun), one 20 mm (0.8 in) Phalanx CIWS, two 25 mm (0.98 in) Mk 38 machine gun systems, and four 0.50 inches (12.7 mm) caliber guns.
Missiles include one 32-cell, and one 64-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS). Additionally, the vessel is equipped with two Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes containing Mark 46, 50, and 54 lightweight torpedoes.
The current destroyer is part of a 2013 multi-year contract award between the Navy, HII Ingalls Shipbuilding, and General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine.
Ingalls Shipbuilding delivered the first Flight III destroyer, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June 2023. Four additional Flight III destroyers are currently under construction: Ted Stevens (DDG 128), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
