Milestone Achieved Despite Pandemic

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has begun testing on the Aegis combat system for the US Navy’s guided missile destroyer Jack H Lucas, the first Arleigh Burke class vessel to be upgraded to the Flight III configuration.

The Flight III configuration was developed in the late 2000s as a replacement for the cancelled Next Generation Cruiser programme and, after a number of transitional vessels were produced including elements of the Flight III configuration but not complying with it completely, the vessels have been in construction since 2016. Among the main characteristics of the Flight III design is an improved AESA 3D radar (AN/SPY-6). Flight III ships are also longer and have a greater displacement than the transitional and Flight IIA vessels.

“Through perseverance, a good plan, execution of that plan and relentless follow up, our shipbuilders have reached ALO,” said Jeff J Davis, construction manager for the Jack H Lucas, referring to ‘Aegis light-off,’ the point at which integration and production has been completed, and testing of the combat system can begin.