The Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works contracts to build two new Arleigh Burkeclass destroyers.
“These contracts help to stabilize our business and are welcome news,” said Dirk Lesko, Bath Iron Works president. “We are grateful to Maine’s congressional delegation and Navy Secretary Spencer for their efforts and leadership.”
Richard Spencer, who was sworn in as secretary of the Navy on Aug. 3, is visiting BIW at the invitation of Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, this morning. This is Spencer’s first visit to the shipyard, according to The Associated Press.
Shipbuilders are eager to hear about the Trump administration’s vision for how to achieve the Navy’s goal of a 355-ship fleet. Members of Maine’s delegation state that, at present, the Navy has 280 deployable battle force ships, well short of the new goal set by the Navy in December.
Collins, King and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, announced the Navy’s award of the two contracts to BIW on Thursday. The Navy isn’t saying how much the contracts are worth, because it plans to award future contracts in a competitive bidding process.
“These contracts to construct two new DDG-51 class destroyers in Bath demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to BIW and its confidence in the highly skilled, hardworking employees at the shipyard,” said Collins, King and Pingree in a joint statement. “There is no workforce in the world better positioned to build these ships. As the workhorses of the Navy, destroyers’ ability to deliver capability and presence has been demonstrated many times over. These ships will strengthen our naval fleet and allow the Navy to promote stability and security in the face of proliferating threats around the globe.”
DDG 126, a Flight IIA destroyer, was awarded as part of a multi-year competition.
DDG 127, however, was approved in separate legislation and will be a Flight III destroyer, featuring advanced radar and upgraded electrical power and cooling capacity. Funding for that destroyer was secured by Collins in her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The final portion of funding for DDG 127 was approved by the Senate earlier this year.
There are currently four DDG 51 destroyers in various stages of production at BIW: Thomas Hudner, Daniel Inouye, Carl Levin and John Basilone.
One of the new ships — DDG 126 — will be named the Louis H. Wilson Jr., after the 26th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, who was a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam.
DDG 127 has not yet been named.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.
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