JUL - Bath Iron Works

From the Helm
Jeff Geiger, President, Bath Iron Works
Ispent several days this month in Mobile, Alabama as LCS 2
began Builder’s Trials. While there, I had a brief flashback
to Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and its Builder’s Trials and it
didn’t take much effort to fast forward to the time when we’ll
take DDG 1000 to sea for the first time.
At first glance, you might think these three ships have little
in common and, if you only look at them on the surface, that’s
not a bad conclusion. But if you look further, you’ll see there
are commonalities. For example, each of these first-of-a-class
ships began with a new hull form that was designed for a
particular purpose and they all began with a good measure
of new technology embedded within. All three ships, in their
own right, created high expectations and spawned significant
public attention. It has been exciting to be involved in all
three new classes of surface combatants.
For the DDG 51 class, the jury has long ago rendered
its verdict. While the program was filled with challenges,
especially in the start-up phase, DDG 51 has made its mark
as the most successful naval surface combatant program in
the history of the U. S. Navy.
The jury will soon have the chance to deliberate on LCS 2
which has also experienced its share of start-up challenges. But
having witnessed the potential of this platform in the course of
a couple of days at sea, I am absolutely convinced that the ship
will prove to be a flexible and powerful platform for our Navy.
For DDG 1000, we’re just beginning to prepare the case
and we’re on the right track. We know we have a good design
because of the hard work that has already been accomplished
and the rigor of our design processes. Manufacturing is ready
for this ship and we will soon begin to ramp up our production
efforts. The cover of this newsletter is evidence of the
kind of innovative steps we have undertaken to pave the way
for DDG 1000. Unit 2000 for DDG 111 is the largest unit we
have ever built and moved at BIW. At approximately 3,000
tons, this unit is one of several stepping stones that will lead
to DDG 1000 Ultra Units and this is where the similarities
between these three ships end.
Our DDG 1000 goal from the outset has been to build this
lead ship like it was a follow ship. We have the opportunity to
create a new lead ship cost and schedule model. We have the
tools we need and the talent and skills that are required and
we have a solid plan to make it happen. We’ve also made a
commitment to ourselves and the Navy and you have clearly
demonstrated what can happen when BIW shipbuilders make
up their minds to do something. If we approach our jobs each
day with that commitment in mind, we will prove that lead
Reginald Dubois (D10).
ships can be efficiently and affordably built and in the process,
create opportunities that will help secure our future. Lead ships
are tough jobs by anyone’s standards but if any group of shipbuilders
can change the pattern, it’s you. I’m confident we will
achieve our goal.
I’d like to shift back to the DDG 51 Program for a moment.
On Saturday, August 1, 2009, we will have the distinct honor
and privilege of having Deb Dunham, ship sponsor, and her
family with us to christen DDG 109, the ship that carries her
son’s name. Corporal Jason Dunham was a United States
Marine who was killed in 2004 while serving in Iraq. In an act
of selfless courage, he threw himself on a hand grenade that was
released by an Iraqi insurgent, thereby saving the lives of many
fellow Marines, some of whom will be in attendance at the
christening. For his action, he posthumously received our
nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.
I know there will be at least two other Medal of Honor
recipients in attendance, one from the Korean War and another
from the Vietnam War. These men risked their lives and Jason
Dunham gave his life in defense of our freedom. I hope every
BIW shipbuilder will be in attendance at the christening of
DDG 109 to demonstrate our thanks and to honor these
American heroes.
“TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”
2 | July 2009 | BIW NEWS