HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, Pascagoula, Miss., launched the future guided missile destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131) on April 1, marking a major construction milestone for the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at the shipyard.
In the weeks leading up to launch, shipbuilders completed final structural work, secured major components, and conducted inspections to prepare the vessel for launch. The ship was then moved from land into the dry dock, where crews performed final checks before flooding the dock and floating the destroyer for the first time.
The vessel is named for George M. Neal, a Korean War veteran and aviation machinist’s mate third class who was awarded the Navy Cross for attempting to rescue a fellow service member under enemy fire.
DDG 131 is a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, equipped with the AN/SPY-6 (V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. The Flight III configuration is designed to improve air and missile defense capabilities and support evolving naval operations.
Following launch, George M. Neal will undergo the next phase of construction, including outfitting, systems activation, and testing ahead of sea trials and delivery to the U.S. Navy.
In January, Ingalls delivered the USS Ted Stevens to the Navy. The shipbuilder is also constructing three other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and USS Thad Cochran (DDG 135). Another seven are moving through early pre-planning stages of construction.
