Keel laid for future US Navy destroyer Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.

The keel of the future US Navy destroyer Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. was ceremoniously laid at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works’ (BIW) shipyard, on Tuesday, April 6.

The future Arleigh Burke-class destroyer honours Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., a US Marine Corps officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War. The now-retired Colonel Barnum, who was also at the keel-laying ceremony, inscribed his signature onto the keel plate with the assistance of a welder.

The destroyer will be built as an Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA ship equipped with improved integrated air and missile defence capabilities, increased computing power, and radar upgrades that improve detection range and reaction time against modern air warfare and ballistic missile threats.