Monday, July 13, 2009

Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Meyer

The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) July 10 from General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works (BIW) during a ceremony in Bath, Maine. Wayne E. Meyer is the 56th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and carries the 100th Aegis Combat System. The ship completed a combined builder's and acceptance super trial June 12 after spending four days at sea off the coast of Maine. "The ship performed well for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey," said Capt. Pete Lyle, DDG 51 class program manager in the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships). "Our industry partners continue to deliver the highest quality assets to our warfighters. These ships are a perfect example of the cost and schedule efficiencies realized from steady-state production in shipbuilding." The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Wayne E. Meyer will be capable of fighting air, surface and sub-surface battles simultaneously and possesses multiple offensive and defensive weapons systems designed to support maritime warfare.Designated DDG 108, the new destroyer honors retired Navy Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, who led the development of the Aegis combat system for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. In 1963, then-Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth chose Meyer to lead a special task force for surface guided missiles. Meyer turned down a destroyer command to continue his work with missile, radar and fire control systems. His experience laid the groundwork for the success of a prototype Aegis radar weapons control system in 1974. Meyer served as the Aegis program manager 1975-1983. The future Wayne E. Meyer is scheduled to be commissioned this fall in Philadelphia, Pa. PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 32 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

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