Compromise $857B Defense Policy Bill Authorizes 11 Battle Force Ships, $25M for Nuclear Cruise Missile Research

NASA Photo

The compromise Fiscal Year 2023 defense policy bill released late Tuesday night authorizes a $32.6 billion shipbuilding budget for the Navy to build 11 battle force ships.

The buy would include “three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; two Virginia-class submarines; two expeditionary fast transports; one Constellation-class frigate; one San Antonio-class amphibious ship; one John Lewis-class oiler; and one Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship,” according to a summary of the bill...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/06/compromise-857b-defense-policy-bill-authorizes-11-battle-force-ships-25m-for-nuclear-cruise-missile-research

Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee Delivers to the Navy

Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123) during sea trials on Oct. 6, 2022. HII Photo

The final Flight IIA Arleigh Burke destroyer to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding delivered to the Navy on Tuesday, the service announced.
Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee(DDG-123) delivered to the service in a small ceremony at the Pascagoula, Miss., yard, during which the shipyard signed over ownership of the ship.

“Delivering an incredibly capable finished ship to the Navy is always an important event for our Ingalls team,”...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/01/destroyer-lenah-sutcliffe-higbee-delivers-to-the-navy

Report to Congress on Navy’s Next-Generation Destroyer

The following is the Nov. 28, 2022, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The Navy’s DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy’s Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers. The Navy wants to procure the first DDG(X) in FY2030. The Navy’s proposed FY2023 budget...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/01/report-to-congress-on-navys-next-generation-destroyer

House, Senate Agree to Authorize 3 Flight III Destroyers in FY 23 NDAA Negotiations

Arleigh Burke destroyers Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123) and the Legend-class cutter Calhoun (WMSL-759) at Ingalls Shipbuilding on Aug. 4, 2022. USNI News Photo

Congress is set to authorize the Navy to buy three Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as part of a nearly finalized House and Senate Fiscal Year 2023, $847 billion defense policy bill, USNI News has learned.

House and Senate negotiators of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act,...

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/30/house-senate-agree-to-authorize-3-flight-iii-destroyers-in-fy-23-ndaa-negotiations

USS Zumwalt’s Recent Pacific Underway is ‘First Step’ for Future of the Class, Says PACFLEET Commander

USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) returns to San Diego, Nov. 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of next year’s installation of hypersonic missiles, the Navy took one of its most advanced warships out for a three-month underway in the Western Pacific to test the ship’s capabilities and reliability, the commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet told USNI News.

USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), this month, wrapped up an operational testing period in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, giving the service the opportunity to...

Navy Details Hypersonic Missile Plan for Zumwalt Destroyers, Virginia Submarines

Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., on Aug. 4, 2022 USNI News Photo

ARLINGTON, Va. – The trio of Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers could each field up to a dozen hypersonic missiles, with the first ship ready for testing in 2025, USNI News has learned.

The service has determined that the hull can accommodate four 87-inch missile tubes that can each hold multiple missiles, Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe the head of the Navy’s strategic systems programs, told...

Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee Completes Navy Acceptance Trials

Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123) during sea trials. HII Photo

The last Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding completed its acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy announced.

The trials are one of the last steps before Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123) delivers from the Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard to the Navy.

“During trials, the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey inspected the ship performing a series of demonstrations while pier...

https://news.usni.org/2022/10/10/destroyer-lenah-sutcliffe-higbee-completes-navy-acceptance-trials

CNO: Navy Will Lead DDG(X) Design Effort, Wargames Call for Fewer Large Surface Warships

Notional Navy DDG(X) hull design. PEO Ships Image

The design of the next American guided-missile destroyer will be led by the Navy in move that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday says will reduce technical risk in the program.

The service brought in Ingalls Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works to jointly develop DDG(X), the planned follow-on to the Arleigh Burke Flight III, but the Navy will firmly be driving the design, Gilday said speaking at the DefenseOne State of Defense...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/14/cno-navy-will-lead-ddgx-design-effort-wargames-call-for-fewer-large-surface-warships

UPDATED: HII Wins $42M Award for Lyndon B. Johnson Combat System Activation

Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., on Aug. 4, 2022 USNI News Photo

This post was updated with a statement from HII.

Ingalls Shipbuilding was awarded a $41.6 million contract modification to begin the combat system activation of Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) in Mississippi, according to a Monday Pentagon announcement.

The shipyard will provide, “temporary dock services and maintenance to the ship … to accomplish the...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/29/hii-wins-42m-award-for-lyndon-b-johnson-combat-system-activation