WASHINGTON — The Navy says the next Zumwalt-class destroyer to be commissioned into service will be named for former President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced plans for the USS Lyndon B. Johnson on Monday. A Navy statement Monday says the ship will be the 34th it has named for a U.S. president. Johnson was a naval officer during World War II.

Construction began on the ship April 4 at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works in Bath. The shipyard is expected to deliver the ship to the Navy in 2018.

Zumwalt-class destroyers are the next-generation, multi-mission warships tailored for land attack and support of beach landings, with capabilities designed to defeat current and projected threats as well as improve battle force defense.


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