General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has received a new order to build an additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 148, as part of the US Navy’s ongoing surface fleet expansion.
This latest order pushes the total number of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers procured to over 90, with 74 already in service at US and overseas naval bases.
The shipyard is actively constructing two Flight IIA and five Flight III versions of the destroyer class. Notably, the USS John Basilone (DDG 122), the most recent ship in the line, was delivered and commissioned in July 2024. In May, the 82nd hull in the program reached a major milestone with its keel laying ceremony in Maine.
Capabilities and Specifications
Spanning up to 510 feet (155 meters) in length, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are built for versatility across a wide range of naval missions. Since their introduction in the 1980s, the ships have been upgraded continuously to counter modern threats.
Their propulsion system includes four General Electric turbines delivering 26,200 horsepower each and Rolls-Royce generators offering 5,400 horsepower. These systems enable the ship to cruise at 30 knots (35 mph or 56 km/h) with a maximum range of 4,400 nautical miles (5,063 miles or 8,149 kilometers).
Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, naval artillery, and guided weapons, these destroyers can engage air, sea, and underwater threats. Onboard facilities support up to 300 crew and passengers, along with operations for maritime helicopters and rigid-hull inflatable boats.
