Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has completed builder’s sea trials for guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128).
The trials, which took place over several days in the Gulf of America, are a critical phase in the ship’s construction, focusing on its engineering, navigation, and combat systems.
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They are part of a series of assessments to ensure the vessel’s preparedness for future acceptance trials and delivery to the US Navy.
During the trials, Ingalls’ test and trials team conducted extensive evaluations across various systems, including hull, mechanical, electrical, and the new Flight III AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar array.
These tests aim to confirm that the ship not only meets but surpasses Navy’s performance requirements.
The Ted Stevens is part of the advanced Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which boast significant upgrades such as the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System.
These enhancements are designed to address evolving threats well into the future.
Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG programme manager Ben Barnett said: “The Ingalls and Navy team worked diligently to get DDG 128 ready for sea, and I want to recognize the team’s determination in reaching this major milestone.
“Their efforts reflect the urgency we all share in delivering these ships with the highest quality and technological advancements needed to support the US Navy fleet and to protect our national security.”
To date, Ingalls has supplied 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the US Navy.
The first Flight III destroyer delivered was USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) in June 2023.
Currently, five additional Flight III vessels are under construction at Ingalls, including Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
In response to increased demand from the US Navy, HII has recently partnered with various shipyards and fabricators across multiple states to enhance production capacity.
This expansion includes a strategy where structural units for Arleigh Burke–class destroyers will be constructed and inspected at partner locations before being sent to Ingalls for final assembly.
Ingalls Shipbuilding specialises in designing, building, and maintaining amphibious ships and destroyers for the US Navy.
In July 2025, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding yard launched the Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) into the James River.
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