General Dynamics has begun construction of the US Navy’s future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Carl M Levin (DDG 120), at its Bath Iron Works shipyard, the navy announced on 2 February.
DDG 120 will be configured as a Flight IIA destroyer and equipped with the US Navy’s Aegis Baseline 9 combat system which includes integrated air and missile defence capability. This system will deliver high firepower and increased electronic countermeasures capability for anti-air warfare.
The multi-mission Arleigh Burke-class destroyers provide the navy with undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defence along with providing increased capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, C2 and anti-surface warfare.
Delivery to the fleet is scheduled for 2021.
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
The UK, the US and Australia have all been working on “extra-large” uncrewed underwater vehicles, but China’s reported development of a significantly larger capability demonstrates the country’s rapid advancement in underwater warfare.
The first Arctic Security Cutter will be built by Rauma Marine Constructions to be deployed in the US Arctic waters.
The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.
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