US Navy awards General Dynamics $663 mn contract to build missile destroyer

The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, a $663 million modification to a previously awarded contract to construct DDG 116, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. DDG 116 is the fourth ship in the Navy's Arleigh Burke-class construction-continuation program.  Bath Iron Works is also under contract for the construction of DDG 115, the third ship in the program. 

Jeff Geiger, president of Bath Iron Works, said, "All of us at Bath Iron Works are very pleased the Navy chose to build DDG 116 in Bath. This additional work will enable us to further refine our shipbuilding processes, reduce costs and maintain the level of Bath-built quality which the Navy expects from us. We understand the importance of affordability in today's challenging economic times and we're committed to providing the Navy highly capable, affordable ships while maintaining quality Maine shipbuilding jobs that contribute to our national security."

DDG 51 multi-mission guided missile destroyers operate in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups, providing a complete array of anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-surface capabilities. Designed for survivability, the ships incorporate all-steel construction and have gas turbine propulsion. The combination of the ships' Aegis combat system, the vertical launching system, an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, two embarked SH-60 helicopters, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk anti-ship and land-attack missiles make the Arleigh Burke class the most powerful surface combatant ever put to sea.