August 25, 2009
PASCAGOULA, Miss. and AVONDALE, La. - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) delivered two ships to the U.S. Navy this week at its Gulf Coast shipyards in Pascagoula, Miss. and Avondale, La. Company and Navy officials signed documents officially transferring custody of the Aegis guided missile destroyer Dewey (DDG 105) in Pascagoula on Monday, Aug. 17 and the amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) at the New Orleans facility on Friday, Aug. 21.
"Delivering one ship is a tremendous accomplishment, as a ship
delivery flexes nearly every muscle in a shipbuilding organization,"
said Mike Petters, corporate vice president and president of Northrop
Grumman Shipbuilding sector. "But to deliver two highly technical and
complex ships within a few days of each other is a true testament to
the skill, commitment, and sense of ownership found in the talented men
and women who built these ships for the U.S. Navy. It exemplifies the
breadth of capability and would not happen without a close partnership
with our customer."
Dewey (DDG 105)
The newest Aegis guided missile destroyer, Dewey (DDG 105), was
delivered to the U.S. Navy during a ceremony held Monday, Aug. 17 in
Pascagoula attended by shipbuilders and the ship's crew, as they stood
in formation on the ship's aft deck during the delivery ceremonies.
The 510-foot, 9,500-ton Dewey has an overall beam of 59 feet
and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas-turbine propulsion
plants will power the ship to speeds above 30 knots. The highly
capable, multi-mission ship 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.
Cmdr. Warren Buller is the ship's first commanding officer and
will lead a crew of more than 300 officers and sailors. During the
ceremony, he reminded those present of the ship's namesake, Adm. George
Dewey, and his actions at the Battle of Manila Bay during the
Spanish-American War 111 years ago. "The responsibility remains for us
to emulate those very same actions in defense of our own country,
freedom and democracy around the world," he said. "With DDG 105, we're
convinced we're getting a fine ship that will extend the legacy of
those who have gone before us in defense of freedom and democracy."
Dewey will be 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.
New York (LPD 21)
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding also delivered one of the
nation's newest and most anticipated advanced warships, the amphibious
transport dock ship New York (LPD 21), on Friday, Aug. 21 during an
emotional ceremony held aboard the ship at its Avondale facility in
Louisiana.
The ship contains 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in its
bow stem, the forward-most part of the ship that slices through the
water. It is the fifth in a series of USS San Antonio (LPD 17)-class
ships built by Northrop Grumman.
The first five ships in the series, San Antonio (LPD 17), New
Orleans (LPD 18), Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Green Bay (LPD 20) and now, New
York (LPD 21), have been delivered to the U.S. Navy by Northrop
Grumman.
"This has been a long day coming, and we wouldn't be here today
if not for the efforts of a lot of people," said Cmdr. Curt Jones, U.S.
Navy, LPD 21 prospective commanding officer, during the delivery
ceremony held aboard the ship on Friday, Aug. 21. "To the shipbuilders,
you have delivered to us the best LPD ship ever, but I would suggest to
you that it is the best ship ever delivered."
New York (LPD 21) is 684 feet long, has a beam of 105 feet and
has a displacement of approximately 25,000 tons. Its four medium-speed
diesel engines drive it to speeds in excess of 20 knots. These
versatile, multi-mission ships will replace the functions of more than
40 ships in four different Navy classes.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security
company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products,
and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems,
shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial
customers worldwide.
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