PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Huntington Ingalls Industries laid the keel for the future USS John Finn (DDG 113) during a ceremony at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., Nov. 4.
The keel of DDG 113 was authenticated as being "straight and truly laid" by Laura Stavridis - the ship's sponsor and wife of retired Admiral James Stavridis -and Bob Merchant, Vice President, Surface Combatants and U.S. Coast Guard Programs at HII.
"DDG 113 is the first ship of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer program restart," said Capt. Mark Vandroff, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "This keel laying represents the beginning of John Finn and continues the proud tradition of this highly successful shipbuilding program. I was especially honored to have Admiral and Mrs. Stavridis joining us here today. Admiral Stavridis, a former commanding officer of the first Ingalls DDG 51, USS Barry, knows how the hard work of Ingalls' shipbuilders produces great warships."
The DDG 51 class ship is a multi-mission, guided-missile destroyer designed to operate in multi-threat air, surface and sub-surface threat environments. The DDG 51 program continues to reinforce affordability and efficiency in its shipbuilding program with a commitment to deliver ships at the highest possible quality to the fleet.
John Finn is the 29th DDG 51 class destroyer to be constructed by Ingalls and is the first ship of the DDG 51 program restart. The Navy currently has 13 Arleigh Burke class destroyers under contract, including the recent Fiscal Year 2013 - 2017 multi-year procurement of nine ships awarded to HII and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in June 2013.
John Finn is expected to deliver to the Navy in 2016.
As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.
