Bath Iron Works has delivered the US Navy’s final Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer, the future USS Patrick Gallagher, ahead of schedule.
General Dynamics subsidiary Bath Iron Works has delivered the US Navy’s final Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer, the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127), ahead of schedule.
The multi-mission guided-missile destroyer honors Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick Gallagher, who posthumously received the Navy Cross for his display of heroism during the Vietnam War.
DDG-127 began construction in November 2018 and was christened at Bath Iron Works’ shipyard in July 2024.
Following the completion of the builder’s sea trials that started in late April 2026, the destroyer was delivered to the navy more than two months ahead of schedule.
It is slated to be homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Flight IIA Destroyer
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are produced in Flight I, Flight II, Flight IIA, and Flight III variants, all using the same basic hull design but incorporating new technology each time.
Flight IIA ships cover DDGs 79 to 124, as well as DDG-127. Construction started in 1997 with the lead ship USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) laid down that year and eventually commissioned in 2000.
Like Flight III ships, Flight IIA destroyers feature a 96-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system and a dual-helicopter hangar capable of supporting two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
However, their main difference lies in their radar and combat systems.
Flight III swaps Flight IIA's AN/SPY-1D(V) radar for the more powerful AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar, enabling significantly better detection of ballistic missiles and small drones, and pairs it with the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system.
