The future USS John Basilone (DDG-122) completed acceptance rials on May 23, shipbuilder
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) [GD] said on May 24.
These trials entailed having a BIW operating crew demonstrate several hull, mechanical and electrical systems for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) to determine if the systems are operational before delivery to the Navy.
“John Basilone is a remarkable ship that embodies the skill and dedication of the thousands of shipbuilders who created it. We take great pride in delivering a ship that will contribute to our nation’s defense and continue to demonstrate that Bath Built is Best Built,” Bath Iron Works President Charles Krugh said in a statement.
The ship is named after a World War II Medal of Honor recipient who defended Henderson Field on Guadalcanal as well as received the Navy Cross for bravery at Iwo Jima.
BIW is also building the Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG-124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127) as well as the Flight III destroyers Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG-126), William Charette (DDG-130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) and John E. Kilmer (DDG-134).
DDG-122 will be one of the final Flight IIA destroyers built by BIW, with DDG-127 set to be the last in that variant the shipyard builds before moving on fully to the Flight III. Flight III ships will feature modifications to accommodate the large AN/SPY-6 air and missile defense radar.
The Navy plans to commission DDG-122 later this year.