Huntington Ingalls Industries christens USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee
USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee at her naming ceremony. (Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries)
Huntington Ingalls Industries has christened its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee.
Huntington Ingalls Industries on 24 April christened its new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) during a small socially distanced ceremony.
DDG 123 is named after Lenah Sutcliff Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross.
The vessel was acquired on behalf of the DoD and USN by Program Executive Office Ships.
DDG 123 is configured as a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class vessel to enable power projection, forward presence and escort operations at sea to support low-intensity conflict, coastal and littoral offshore warfare and open ocean conflict.
The ship incorporates a cooperative engagement capability, which, when combined with the Aegis combat system, will allow groups of ships and aircraft to link their radars and provide a composite picture of the battlespace.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Arleigh Burke class was designed to replace the USN’s Spruance-class destroyers. A total of 47 Flight IIA vessels have been ordered to date with 40 in service. There are also 13 confirmed orders for Flight III vessels.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand]()
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
![Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones]()
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
![Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market]()
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.
-
![Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge]()
Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge
New Zealand’s evaluation of the Mogami and Arrowhead 140 frigate designs reflects a wider push for alliance interoperability, and points to a larger recapitalisation of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet beyond the current programme.
