At the end of March Huntington Ingalls (Newport News Shipbuilding) the third destroyer of the third construction lot of the Arleigh Burke class (Flight III) in the name of "Jeremiah Denton" (DDG 129) baptised - in memory of one of the Navy Cross a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, who later also served as a US state senator. Alabama sat in the House of Representatives.

The Flight IIIThe 155 metre long, 9,300 tonne version of this destroyer class is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, battle management systems and the latest energy and cooling technology - an important prerequisite for future equipment with Laser weapons. As with the predecessor models, the drive is provided by four gas turbines and allows speeds of up to 30 knots.

Due to the increased level of combat, the crew size has also been adjusted: Instead of the previous 290 men and women, the crew will now comprise around 350 people - a sign of the increasing demands on personnel and technology.

Four more Flight III destroyers are currently under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding:

• "Ted Stevens" (DDG 128)

• "George M. Neal" (DDG 131)

• "Sam Nunn" (DDG 133)

• "Thad Cochran" (DDG 135)