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| Press Release May 7, 1998 |
Today, Bath Iron Works (BIW), a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), celebrated the installation of the first unit of its eighteenth ARLEIGH BURKE Class AEGIS Guided Missile Destroyer, WINSTON CHURCHILL (DDG 81).
This first unit, referred to as the "keel" of the ship, is comprised of the mid and lower levels of the ship's aft engine room. Since the 1970s, BIW has used the modular construction method to build complex naval surface combatants. This approach involves building the ship in a series of "building blocks" or units which are outfitted with the mechanical and electrical systems as fully as possible before the individual units are joined together on the building ways. DDG 81's keel unit is particularly noteworthy because it is the first time the yard has used the "super unit" process. The super unit approach allows more outfitting and structural integration to be done earlier in the construction process thereby lowering overall costs. The super unit initiative is one of several process improvements underway at BIW intended to improve the affordability of the company's products to provide the best value to the customer.
This ship is also BIW's second BURKE Class destroyer to incorporate the Flight IIA upgrade, which includes the addition of a twin helicopter capability. The Flight IIA design has been accomplished entirely by Computer Aided Design (CAD).
WINSTON CHURCHILL (DDG 81) is named in honor of the great British
statesman and World War II leader. The keel laying ceremony was highlighted by the
attendance of Commander Russell Pegg of Her Majesty's Royal Navy. In his ceremony
Speech, BIW President Allan C. Cameron said: "There are particular elements
surrounding DDG 81 that have created a little more excitement than usual. It starts with
the ship's namesake. How could we not feel especially proud to be constructing a
ship named to honor one of the greatest leaders of this century?"
Naming a U.S. warship after a foreign citizen is a unique event in the history of the U.S. Navy, and it is expected that the Royal Navy will continue its involvement in the construction milestones for DDG 81. WINSTON CHURCHILL will be launched in April of 1999, with delivery scheduled for August of 2000.
Since winning the ARLEIGH BURKE lead ship design and construction contract in April of 1985, BIW has received contracts for 27 of the 51 DDG's procured by the Navy and has delivered 14 of the 27.
Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, a leader in surface combatant design and construction, employs 7,700 people. It is a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. General Dynamics has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation. The company employs 43,000 people worldwide and has annualized sales of approximately $10 billion. More information about General Dynamics can be found on the worldwide web at www.generaldynamics.com.
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