Keel Launched For US Navy’s Newest Arleigh Burke-Class DDG 52 Destroyer

HII segment Ingalls Shipbuilding reportedly has laid the keel of the 81st guided-missile destroyer that belongs to the Arleigh Burke class for the US Navy, the George Neal (DDG 131), in Mississippi’s Pascagoula.

DDG 131 is a Flight III vessel incorporating an advanced, electronically scanned array radar for improving missile and air defence capabilities. Besides digitized command as well as control systems, the Flight III Arleigh Burke platforms deploy electronic countermeasures, tracking and targeting tech, as well as simultaneous scanning capabilities.

The Flight III configuration further integrates improved cooling capacity as well as electrical power to continue supporting the fleet’s surface, aerial, and sub-surface operability while at sea.

The George Neal

The George Neal was named after a US Navy aviation machinist who had been rewarded a Navy Cross for significant contributions amid the Korean War. During his time as a volunteer crew member on a helicopter, Neal safely rescued an aviator belonging to the US Marine Corps from the mountains of North Korea.

The mission was also disrupted by a glitch in the rescue helicopter, needing Neal, the pilot, as well as the recovered marine officer to evade the adversaries for nine days before getting captured and being held as prisoners of war.

Neal and almost 320 prisoners were released and successfully returned to the US in 1952. DDG 131 happens to be the fourth Flight III destroyer built by HII.

At present, the firm has been producing more Arleigh Burke vessels dedicated to the US Navy, including the Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).

Reference: The Defense Post

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