05/10/2026
One step closer to Commissioning in Alaska!
READ 💬: The U.S. Navy’s surface fleet took another major step forward on May 8, 2026, as the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) officially departed from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship, a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, is now en route to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. This departure, known as a "sail-away," marks the end of its construction phase and the beginning of its transition into active military service.
The Ted Stevens is the 78th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the second of the highly advanced Flight III variant built by Ingalls. Its journey to Norfolk is a precursor to a historic commissioning ceremony scheduled to take place in Whittier, Alaska, where the ship will officially join the Navy’s combat-ready fleet.
The Power of Flight III 🔻
While the Arleigh Burke-class has been the "backbone" of the Navy for decades, the Ted Stevens represents a massive leap in capability. As a Flight III destroyer, the ship is built around the new AN/SPY-6(V)1 air and missile defense radar. This system is significantly more powerful than the radars found on older destroyers, allowing the crew to detect and track smaller, faster targets at much greater distances.
Because this new radar requires more electricity and cooling than previous versions, the entire internal structure of the ship had to be upgraded. The Ted Stevens features a completely redesigned power plant and cooling system to support its high-tech sensors. These upgrades allow the ship to perform "simultaneous" missions, meaning it can defend against incoming aircraft while also tracking ballistic missiles in space at the same time.
A Legacy in Steel 🔻
The ship is named in honor of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. A World War II veteran and a legendary figure in American politics, Stevens served as a senator for over 40 years and was a tireless advocate for the military. The Navy’s decision to commission the ship in Whittier, Alaska, is a direct nod to the senator’s lifelong commitment to his home state and the nation’s northern defenses.
The ship’s motto, "Lead with Courage," reflects the spirit of its namesake. During the sail-away ceremony, shipbuilders and Navy officials remarked that the departure was a proud moment for the thousands of workers in Mississippi who spent years crafting the vessel. For the crew of approximately 380 sailors now aboard, the journey to Norfolk is the final stretch before they take one of the world’s most lethal warships into the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.
Building the Future Fleet 🔻
The delivery of the Ted Stevens is part of a broader "surge" in American shipbuilding. Ingalls Shipbuilding currently has five more Flight III destroyers under construction and several more in the planning stages. To keep up with the Navy’s demand for these ships, the shipyard has adopted new manufacturing methods, including a "distributed shipbuilding" initiative that allows different parts of the ship to be built at various locations before final assembly in Pascagoula.
This industrial effort is aimed at ensuring the Navy maintains its edge in an increasingly contested maritime environment. By delivering ships like the Ted Stevens, the U.S. is providing its commanders with "integrated" air and missile defense tools that can counter modern threats well into the 21st century.
Next Stop: Norfolk and Whittier 🔻
After arriving in Norfolk for final preparations, the Ted Stevens will begin its long voyage toward Alaska for its commissioning. This event will be a historic occasion for the city of Whittier and the entire state of Alaska, which has long had a deep bond with the Navy. Once the ceremony is complete and the colors are hoisted, the USS Ted Stevens will officially enter the line of battle, ready to serve as a guardian of the seas for decades to come.
The departure of the future USS Ted Stevens from Mississippi for its homeport in Norfolk marks the successful delivery of a next-generation Flight III destroyer equipped with the Navy’s most advanced radar and combat systems.
