US Navy’s last Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer starts sea trials

April 29, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), the US Navy’s last Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built to the Flight IIA configuration, has begun its sea trials.

According to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW), the vessel departed down the Kennebec River on April 27 to begin a series of at-sea evaluations designed to verify the performance of its onboard systems under operational conditions. Sea trials are a key milestone in naval shipbuilding, allowing the shipbuilder and crew to rigorously test propulsion, navigation, combat systems, and overall seaworthiness before delivery to the US Navy.

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DDG 127 made a scheduled stop in Portland during the testing period. The stopover allowed for a rotation of personnel, with some crew members departing after completing their assigned tasks and others joining the ship to continue the trials. This approach reflects a more flexible and phased method of conducting trials, ensuring that specialized teams can focus on specific systems at different stages of the process.

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Introduced with USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) in 2000, the Flight IIA ships feature 96 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, helicopter hangars for two SH-60B/R helicopters, and have gained enhanced ballistic missile defense capabilities through later upgrades.

With DDG 127 nearing completion, BIW’s production line has already transitioned to constructing the more advanced Flight III configuration. These newer ships will incorporate the AN/SPY-6 radar and other upgrades aimed at addressing evolving air and missile threats.

The successful completion of sea trials will mark one of the final steps before the USS Patrick Gallagher is delivered to the navy.

To remind, the christening ceremony for the vessel took place in July 2024. The ship’s namesake Patrick Gallagher, was an Irish immigrant who received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Vietnam War when he managed to throw an enemy grenade, saving himself and his fellow Marines. He was killed in action just one year later.