HII Delivers Final DDG 51 Flight IIA Restart Destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) to U.S. Navy
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Burke class Ralph Johnson DDG 114 Builder Sea Trials
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Nov. 15. In early September, DDG 114 successfully demonstrated its ship's systems and readiness during a series of at sea and in-port trials for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Due to the success of the trials, INSURV recommended the ship be accepted for delivery to the U.S. Navy.
 
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Naval Industry News - USA
 
 
 
HII Delivers Final DDG 51 Flight IIA Restart Destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) to U.S. Navy
 
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Nov. 15. In early September, DDG 114 successfully demonstrated its ship's systems and readiness during a series of at sea and in-port trials for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Due to the success of the trials, INSURV recommended the ship be accepted for delivery to the U.S. Navy.
     
Burke class Ralph Johnson DDG 114 Builder Sea TrialsHII Ingalls Shipbuilding completed builder's sea trials for Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) in July. The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) destroyer spent more than three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing the ship’s main propulsion, combat and other ship systems. Photo by Andrew Young/HII
     
"The namesake of this ship is a true American patriot who sacrificed his life for the safety of his fellow Marines and his country," said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. "We're looking forward to commissioning a ship that will not only honor the legacy of one of our finest Marines but also provide today's Sailors and Marines with one of our most capable warfighting assets."

DDG 114's namesake, Pfc. Ralph H. Johnson, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during Operation Rock in the Vietnam War, 1968. Johnson jumped on top of a tossed grenade to spare his fellow Marines from the blast. The heroic action took Johnson's life but saved the lives of his brothers in arms and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from penetrating his sector of the perimeter.

As the 64th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the final of three DDG 51 Flight IIA Restart ships, Ralph Johnson is equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat System which includes an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability incorporating Ballistic Missile Defense 5.0 Capability Upgrade and Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air. The ship's IAMD radar will provide increased computing power and radar upgrades that improve detection and reaction capabilities against modern air warfare threats. The Aegis Combat System will enable the ship to link radars with other ships and aircraft to provide a composite picture of the battle space and effectively increase the theater space.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, all in support of the United States’ military strategy. The guided missile destroyers are capable of simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface battles. The ship contains myriad offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century.