The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (DDG 124) from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works on Nov. 17, marking the transfer of the 505’ Arleigh Burke-class destroyer from shipbuilder to fleet.
Delivery followed a full series of dockside and underway sea trials that evaluated propulsion, combat systems, communications, and navigation. Program officials said the ship met performance requirements across its major systems.
The destroyer honors retired Marine Corps Col. Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient recognized for valor during the Vietnam War. Barnum has been an active presence throughout the build and trials. During initial sea trials, he joined the crew and shipyard team and fired the first round from the ship’s 5" gun.
The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. is one of the last Flight IIA configurations of the Burke class, outfitted with the older AN/SPY-1D(v) air search radars before the Navy will transition to the Flight III destroyers that are built around the AN/SPY-6 air and missile defense radar. As a Flight IIA destroyer, DDG 124 will serve as a multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare.
The 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 armament is extensive. 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.
DDG 124 is the latest Arleigh Burke-class multi-mission destroyer delivered from Bath. The class provides long-range air and missile defense, surface and undersea warfare capabilities, and fleet escort roles.
In August, the Navy ordered an additional Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer from Bath Iron Works as an option exercised from a multiyear shipbuilding contract awarded in 2023 for the new 509'6"x59' warship to be named the USS Kyle Carpenter (DDG-148).
Bath Iron Works currently has seven additional destroyers in various stages of construction: Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), John E. Kilmer (DDG 134), Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136), and J. William Middendorf (DDG 138).
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
