US Navy: Keel laid for Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyer USS Quentin Walsh

The keel for the future USS Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), an Arleigh Burke-class Flight III guided missile destroyer, was laid during a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (GD BIW) on May 20, 2025.

The keel laying represents the start of a ship’s construction. During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when the ship’s sponsor welds their initials into the keel plate, with the assistance of a BIW welder.

The ship’s namesake, Coast Guard Capt. Quentin R. Walsh was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during World War II.

“We are honored to mark the beginning of the construction for the future USS Quentin Walsh and celebrate his legacy with his family,” said Capt. Jay Young, Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships).

“DDG 132 will provide our Navy with critical strategic capabilities to support Fleet readiness.”

The keel laying of future USS Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) symbolizes the Navy’s 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are “the backbone” of the US Navy’s surface fleet. These highly capable, multi-mission ships conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface.

The Flight III destroyers feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporate upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity, plus additional associated changes to provide enhanced warfighting capability to the fleet.

“The keel-laying ceremony marks the coming together on Land Level of several large units which our shipbuilders have built to precise specifications in our production buildings,” said BIW President Charles F. Krugh.

“When Quentin Walsh is launched and joins the fleet, it will be a powerful platform our Sailors can rely on to protect our country and our families.”

In addition to Quentin Walsh, Bath Iron Works currently has under construction the Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the Flight III destroyers Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130), John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) and Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136).