VIDEO: Ingalls launches Paul Ignatius (DDG 117)

The Ingalls-built destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) launched at first light Saturday morning, Nov. 12, 2016

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), the company’s 31st Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer, on Saturday.

Paul Ignatius was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to a floating dry dock. Once on, the dry dock was moved away from the pier, and it was ballasted to float the ship.

“For 30 years, our talented shipbuilders have been building these much-needed, quality destroyers,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “Launching DDG 117 is an important milestone in the life of the ship, which will continue building toward fleet readiness in 2018.”

Ingalls has delivered 28 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy. Other destroyers currently under construction at Ingalls include John Finn (DDG 113), Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) and Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121). Construction on Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2017.

DDG 117 is named in honor of  Paul Ignatius, who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1967 to 1969 and was the Assistant Secretary of Defense during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration.