HII has announced the departure of the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a guided missile destroyer, from its Ingalls Shipbuilding division, ahead of its planned commissioning in Whittier, Alaska.
In a statement on 8 May 2026, HII said the destroyer is now sailing towards its future homeport of Norfolk, Virginia.
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The government of Whittier, Alaska stated in March that the ship is anticipated to be commissioned in fall 2026.
Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG 51-line programme manager Chris Brown said: “The sail-away of Ted Stevens reflects the strong momentum of our Flight III destroyer deliveries and the team’s work to deliver the most capable and combat ready ships to the fleet.”
DDG 128 is the second Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding, features the Flight III AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, which are designed to support advanced maritime operations.
The ship underwent a second round of builder’s trials in the Gulf of Mexico, following initial testing held at the end of October 2025. It was handed over to the US Navy in December last year.
Ingalls has previously delivered 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the first Flight III version, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), and now USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128).
In addition to Ted Stevens, Ingalls launched the third Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), in March of last year.
Currently, five more Flight III destroyers are at various construction stages namely the Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), Thad Cochran (DDG 135), and John F. Lehman (DDG 137).
Seven additional ships are in early planning and material procurement, including Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), Ernest E. Evans (DDG 141), Charles French (DDG 142), Richard J. Danzig (DDG 143), Intrepid (DDG 145), Robert Kerrey (DDG 146), and Ray Mabus (DDG 147).
To address production needs, HII said Ingalls is using a distributed shipbuilding approach. The shipyard is working with partners beyond its traditional workforce to improve output and scheduling.
In 2026, the company expects to move more than 2.5 million hours of shipbuilding work to external providers and aims to expand its network of assembly partners, allowing a significant portion of work to occur prior to final assembly at the shipyard.
