HII Delivers Advanced Destroyer Ted Stevens to U.S. Navy Fleet

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – December 29, 2025 – HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division today marked a significant milestone in U.S. naval modernization, officially delivering the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), to the U.S. Navy. The delivery, confirmed in a company announcement, represents a major step forward for the fleet, as DDG 128 is the second destroyer of the highly advanced Flight III configuration to be completed and delivered by the veteran Mississippi shipbuilder.

The Ted Stevens joins its sister ship, the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), as the vanguard of a new generation of surface combatants. These vessels are designed to address increasingly complex maritime threats and ensure American naval superiority well into the 21st century. The delivery underscores the momentum of a critical shipbuilding program at a time of heightened global tensions.

“The delivery of Ted Stevens reflects the strong momentum of our destroyer program as we accelerate Flight III production and bring enhanced capabilities to the fleet,” said Brian Blanchette, President of Ingalls Shipbuilding, in a statement. “We are honored to deliver DDG 128 to the Navy knowing that it will stand as a powerful asset in strengthening U.S. maritime security for decades to come.”

A Leap Forward in Naval Technology

The significance of the Ted Stevens lies in its Flight III upgrades, a technological leap that fundamentally redefines the capabilities of the proven Arleigh Burke-class platform. At the heart of this modernization is the new AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR), which provides the Navy with vastly improved situational awareness. Compared to the previous SPY-1D radars, the SPY-6 system offers significantly greater sensitivity and detection range, allowing the ship to see threats that are smaller, faster, and farther away.

This powerful radar is integrated with the latest Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. Together, these systems create a formidable defense network capable of simultaneously tracking and engaging multiple advanced threats, including sophisticated anti-ship cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. The upgrade provides the ship with enhanced electronic warfare capabilities and the processing power needed to manage the immense amount of data generated by its sensors, giving commanders a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the battlespace. This integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capability is crucial for protecting carrier strike groups and other high-value naval assets.

The Flight III configuration required significant redesigns of the ship's internal structure, primarily to support the powerful new radar and its substantial power and cooling requirements. The result is a vessel that, while retaining the familiar hull of the Arleigh Burke class, packs a punch far beyond its predecessors, making it one of the most capable multi-mission surface combatants in the world.

Ingalls Ramps Up Production to Meet Navy Demand

The delivery of DDG 128 is a testament to Ingalls Shipbuilding's efforts to increase its production tempo and meet the U.S. Navy's growing demand for new ships. The Pascagoula shipyard is a hive of activity, with a robust pipeline of destroyers in various stages of completion. According to HII, four other Flight III destroyers are currently under fabrication: the future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and USS Thad Cochran (DDG 135).

Beyond the ships already taking shape, another seven are in the early pre-planning and material procurement phases, ensuring a steady flow of these critical assets to the fleet for years to come. This future lineup includes destroyers named for notable figures such as John F. Lehman (DDG 137) and Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139).

To manage this immense workload and improve schedule adherence, Ingalls has implemented a "distributed shipbuilding initiative." This forward-thinking strategy involves partnering with other shipyards and fabrication facilities beyond the company's traditional Gulf Coast labor market. By distributing parts of the construction process, Ingalls can tap into a wider talent pool, reduce bottlenecks in its own yard, and ultimately accelerate the delivery of completed ships. This industrial model is becoming increasingly vital as the Navy seeks to expand and modernize its fleet more rapidly. The successful delivery of the Ted Stevens serves as a key proof point for the effectiveness of this distributed approach.

Continuing a Legacy of Service

The Ted Stevens is named in honor of the late U.S. Senator from Alaska, who was the longest-serving Republican senator in history at the time of his retirement. A World War II veteran who flew transport planes in the China-Burma-India theater, Stevens was a lifelong and staunch advocate for the U.S. military. The naming of a state-of-the-art warship in his honor continues a Navy tradition of recognizing national leaders who championed a strong national defense.

The delivery of DDG 128 also adds to Ingalls Shipbuilding's own storied legacy. The company has now delivered a total of 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the Navy, a program that has been the backbone of the surface fleet for over three decades. From the first ships of the class to the latest Flight III variants, the Pascagoula shipyard has been a cornerstone of the Navy's industrial base.

As the Ted Stevens prepares to enter service, it represents more than just a single ship. It is a symbol of an evolving industrial strategy, a leap forward in naval technology, and a continuation of a decades-long partnership between American shipbuilders and the sailors who will operate these powerful vessels on the front lines of national security. The ship and its crew will soon join the fleet, ready to carry on the legacy of its namesake and its class, projecting power and protecting peace across the world's oceans.