HII Successfully Completes Builder’s Sea Trials for Destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128)
Rhea-AI Summary
HII (NYSE: HII) has successfully completed builder's sea trials for the guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), the second Flight III destroyer built at Ingalls Shipbuilding division. The trials, conducted in the Gulf of America, tested the ship's engineering, navigation, and combat systems, including the advanced Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar array.
The company has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy and currently has five Flight IIIs under construction. HII recently announced partnerships with multiple shipyards to increase production capacity, with Ingalls selecting outfitted structural units to be constructed at partner locations for final integration at Ingalls.
Positive
- Successful completion of builder's sea trials for Ted Stevens (DDG 128)
- Currently has five Flight III destroyers under construction, showing strong order book
- Strategic partnerships established with multiple shipyards to increase production capacity
- Company's position as largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi demonstrates operational scale
Negative
- None.
Insights
HII's successful destroyer sea trials indicate construction progress and robust naval shipbuilding operations with expanding production capacity.
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding has hit a crucial production milestone with the successful completion of builder's sea trials for the Ted Stevens (DDG 128), the second Flight III destroyer built at their facilities. These comprehensive trials conducted in the Gulf of America validated the vessel's engineering, navigation, and combat systems, including the advanced AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar array testing critical to Flight III capabilities.
This achievement positions the Ted Stevens closer to acceptance trials and eventual delivery to the U.S. Navy, representing tangible progress in HII's destroyer production pipeline. The company currently has five Flight III destroyers under construction, following their delivery of the first Flight III vessel, USS Jack H. Lucas, in June 2023.
What's particularly noteworthy is HII's strategic response to increased Navy demand. The company recently announced partnerships with multiple shipyards across several states to expand production capacity, specifically selecting outfitted structural units for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be constructed at partner locations before final integration at Ingalls. This distributed manufacturing approach indicates both strong demand signals from the Navy and HII's proactive capacity expansion to secure additional contract work.
The Flight III Arleigh Burke-class represents significant technological advancement with its enhanced Air and Missile Defense Radar and Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System, designed to counter evolving threats through the 21st century. As Mississippi's largest manufacturing employer with 86+ years of naval vessel construction experience, Ingalls' consistent execution on these high-value programs demonstrates operational stability in its core defense business.
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully completed builder’s sea trials for guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), marking a major milestone in the construction of the second Flight III destroyer built at Ingalls. The trials were conducted over several days in the Gulf of America, and tested the ship’s engineering, navigation, and combat systems to ensure readiness for the future acceptance trials and eventual delivery to the U.S. Navy.
“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,” Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. “Their efforts reflect the urgency we all share in delivering these ships with the highest quality and technological advancements needed to support the U.S. Navy fleet and to protect our national security.”
During builder’s trials, the Ingalls test and trials team completed a full range of hull, mechanical and electrical tests, as well as Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar array testing. These tests are designed to validate critical system performance and ensure the ship meets or exceeds Navy requirements.
Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-successfully-completes-builders-sea-trials-for-destroyer-ted-stevens-ddg-128/.
Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers represent the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy and incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. Upgrades include the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System required to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century.
Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June of 2023 and currently has five Flight IIIs under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133) and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
Earlier this month, HII announced that the company would be partnering with several shipyards and fabricators in multiple states to grow its throughput and meet the requirements of increased demand for ships by the U.S. Navy. This effort included Ingalls Shipbuilding selecting outfitted structural units for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be constructed, inspected and accepted at partner locations and later delivered to Ingalls for final integration.
As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed, built and maintained amphibious ships, destroyers for the U.S. Navy for over 86 years. To learn more about the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer program at Ingalls visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/guided-missile-destroyers/arleigh-burke-class/.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
Contact:
Kimberly Aguillard
Kimberly.K.Aguillard@HII-co.com
(228) 355-5663
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d83fd476-a80e-4939-9de7-0add85891fdd
FAQ
What milestone did HII achieve with the Ted Stevens (DDG 128) destroyer?
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What are the current destroyer construction projects at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding?
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What improvements are included in the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers?
