Department of War Certifies Bath Iron Works Capacity for Second Guided-Missile Destroyer

By Amr Gohar

WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of War has certified that General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine has the production capacity and operational stability needed to potentially build a second Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer for the U.S. Navy.

According to a previous release, the certification followed a comprehensive, multi-phase review of the Bath, Maine, shipyard, including its production throughput, schedule performance, quality assurance, supply chain resilience and workforce management. The Department determined that recent operational and managerial improvements make construction of an additional DDG-51 destroyer feasible, provided Congress approves the necessary funding.

Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg said the U.S. defense industrial base must be capable of responding to demands for greater production speed and volume.

“After a rigorous review, Bath Iron Works has proven it has the capacity and stability to support construction of a second destroyer,” Feinberg said.

He added that the shipyard must continue improving its performance and address longstanding production challenges, saying sustained execution and accountability will remain essential as the Department works with defense contractors to modernize U.S. forces.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said the decision validates both Bath Iron Works’ capacity and the work of its approximately 6,800 employees.

Collins said she had advocated for funding for a second destroyer in the current budget and worked with the administration during its review of the shipyard’s ability to take on another vessel while continuing its existing workload.

She said the certification could help strengthen the Navy while supporting shipbuilding jobs in Maine.

Collins also pointed to China’s continuing naval expansion, saying the United States needs sufficient resources and shipbuilding capacity to meet growing maritime security requirements.

The Department said the decision is part of a broader effort to strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.

Officials said the strategy includes targeted modernization investments, workforce development and efforts to streamline procurement in order to increase production and improve long-term stability across the shipbuilding supply chain.

The Department said ensuring major shipyards such as Bath Iron Works can sustain higher production rates is considered an important part of maintaining U.S. naval readiness and protecting American interests worldwide.

The potential second destroyer would be another Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51, one of the Navy’s primary guided-missile surface combatants. Final construction would still depend on congressional funding.