US Navy awards funding for DDG 122 destroyer

The US Navy has awarded a contract modification to fund the construction of DDG 122, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under contract at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

The contract modification, which was announced on 1 April, funds $610.4 million for the construction of the destroyer. It is part of a five-ship contract worth around $3.4 billion awarded in 2013 and a multi-ship competition for DDG 51 class destroyers.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has three DDG 51 destroyers under construction at present: Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and Daniel Inouye (DDG 118). DDG 115 and DDG 116 are due for delivery to the navy in 2016 and 2017. Fabrication has just begun on DDG 118, the first ship of the 2013 multi-ship contract.

Fred Harris, president, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, said: 'This announcement allows us to continue efforts associated with planning and construction of DDG 122. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Collins and King and the strong support of our entire delegation in matters of national defence. We are grateful for their recognition of the contributions made by the people of Bath Iron Works to the navy's important shipbuilding programmes.'

Bath Iron Works is also building three Zumwalt-class destroyers at present: Zumwalt (DDG 1000), Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) and Lyndon Johnson (DDG 1002).