The U.S. Navy has officially taken delivery of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), a Flight IIA Technology Insertion destroyer built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The ship brings upgraded sensors, expanded combat systems, and enhanced power architecture to the fleet.
The Navy confirmed the delivery on November 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the steady modernization of the Arleigh Burke-class. DDG 124 now enters pre-commissioning preparations, including crew certification, combat system calibrations and final readiness trials before joining operational forces.
Bridging Flight IIA and Flight III with Technology Insertion
The destroyer belongs to the specialized Flight IIA Technology Insertion subgroup, engineered as an evolutionary step toward the newer Flight III configuration. Enhancements include increased electrical generation capacity, improved air and missile defense components, and computing upgrades compatible with the Aegis Baseline 9C system—enabling simultaneous ballistic missile defense and traditional air defense operations.
The Backbone of the Navy’s Surface Fleet
With more than 70 ships in service since 1991, the Arleigh Burke-class remains the core of the Navy’s surface combatant force. The Flight IIA variants introduced critical improvements such as:
- An extended hull design
- Dual helicopter hangars supporting MH-60R/S operations
- Expanded Mk 41 Vertical Launch System capacity
- Improved radar, EW, and sonar suites
DDG 124 carries 96 VLS cells capable of launching SM-2/3/6 interceptors, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and ASROC anti-submarine weapons. It also features a Mk 45 5-inch gun, Phalanx CIWS, torpedo tubes, and Harpoon missiles on selected hulls.
High-Speed COGAG Propulsion and Multi-Mission Flexibility
Powered by four LM2500 gas turbines in a COGAG configuration, DDG 124 exceeds 30 knots and offers the endurance required for global operations. The ship can operate independently, lead surface action groups, or integrate seamlessly with carrier strike groups under the Navy’s distributed maritime operations doctrine.
Supporting Industrial Readiness and Fleet Expansion
Bath Iron Works continues to build seven additional destroyers (DDG 126–138), ensuring long-term fleet sustainment amid rising naval competition in the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions. Delivery of DDG 124 reinforces the Navy’s commitment to a robust, forward-deployed surface fleet.
A Multi-Domain Combatant for Future Operations
As a Flight IIA destroyer with next-generation Technology Insertion upgrades, DDG 124 will serve for decades as a versatile and survivable platform—capable of executing air, surface, subsurface and strike warfare missions across contested theaters.
