DDG 1002 launched at Bath Iron Works
The US Navy’s third and final Zumwalt-class ship, the future USS Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002), has been launched at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard.
With the ship now in water, final outfitting and production can commence.
Zumwalt-class destroyers feature a modern electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and are equipped with advanced weaponry. The fleet will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control and C2 missions.
Cpt Kevin Smith, DDG 1000 program manager, Program Executive Office Ships, said: ‘It’s important for the DDG 1000 programme and shipyard to reach this major milestone. With the first two ships of the class underway, we are excited to continue the next phase of construction of the future Lyndon B Johnson.’
The future Lyndon B Johnson is scheduled to be christened in the spring of 2019.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.