USS Thomas Hudner accepted by US Navy
The US Navy accepted delivery of its newest guided-missile destroyer, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), from shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works on 15 June.
DDG 116 is the 66th Arleigh Burke class destroyer and the fourth DDG 51 Flight IIA restart ship to be delivered. The ship is equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system, which includes an Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability incorporating Ballistic Missile Defense 5.0 and Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air. Aegis Baseline 9 destroyers have increased computing power, along with radar upgrades for improved detection and reaction capabilities against modern anti-air warfare and ballistic threats.
Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships, said: ‘The delivery of the future USS Thomas Hudner represents a very special milestone in this shipbuilding programme. As the ship now prepares to sailaway and enter the fleet, it will continue the strong Aegis tradition in serving our navy for decades to come.’
More from Naval Warfare
-
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
-
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.