Ingalls Shipbuilding authenticated the keel of the Thad Cochran destroyer, honoring the late senator's military support.
Quiver AI Summary
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding held a keel authentication ceremony for the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135) on October 23, 2025, honoring the legacy of the late Navy veteran and former U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. The ceremony was attended by Cochran's wife, Kay Webber Bowen Cochran, and shipbuilders, emphasizing Cochran's unwavering support for the military and shipbuilding in Mississippi. The ship is part of a series of next-generation surface combatants and includes significant design enhancements. Ingalls Shipbuilding has a long-standing history as the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, producing advanced naval vessels for over 86 years.
Potential Positives
- Ingalls Shipbuilding authenticated the keel of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135), a significant milestone in the shipbuilding process and a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to the U.S. Navy.
- The ship is named after Thad Cochran, a respected Navy veteran and former senator, enhancing the company’s reputation by aligning itself with a prominent figure known for his support of military and defense initiatives.
- Ingalls Shipbuilding is currently constructing five Flight III destroyers, indicating a robust order book and ongoing work that supports the company’s growth and stability in the defense sector.
- The ceremony and the ship itself highlight the craftsmanship and dedication of Ingalls shipbuilders, fostering pride and morale among employees and reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering advanced naval capabilities.
Potential Negatives
- The press release primarily focuses on a ceremonial event, lacking concrete updates on the project's progress or any potential challenges faced in construction.
- There is no mention of any financial implications or budgetary considerations related to the construction of Thad Cochran (DDG 135), which could raise concerns about transparency.
- The focus on honoring a political figure rather than the ship's technical advancements may appear to divert attention from the company's operational performance and innovation efforts.
FAQ
What is the significance of the Thad Cochran (DDG 135) destroyer?
The Thad Cochran (DDG 135) honors the legacy of the late U.S. senator and Navy veteran Thad Cochran.
Who participated in the keel authentication ceremony?
Attendees included Thad Cochran's wife Kay Webber Bowen Cochran, shipbuilders from Ingalls, and HII executives.
What makes Thad Cochran a notable figure for the destroyer?
Thad Cochran was a prominent supporter of the U.S. military and crucial in securing defense funding for Mississippi.
How many Arleigh Burke-class destroyers has Ingalls delivered?
Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125).
What is the role of Ingalls Shipbuilding in the U.S. Navy?
Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest military shipbuilder, designing and constructing advanced ships and combat vessels for the U.S. Navy.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
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Full Release
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding authenticated the keel today of Arleigh Burke -class guided missile destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135). The ship honors Thad Cochran, a Navy veteran and former U.S. senator who represented Mississippi from 1978 to 2018. Ceremony attendees included Cochran’s wife and ship sponsor Kay Webber Bowen Cochran and Ingalls shipbuilders.
Thad Cochran was an unwavering supporter of the U.S. military. Throughout Cochran’s career, he championed critical national security priorities, secured essential defense funding for shipbuilding nationwide and in Mississippi, and held a pivotal role in delivering billions in recovery aid to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“Senator Cochran’s leadership and steadfast support for Mississippi, including ensuring that Ingalls shipbuilders remained at the heart of America’s naval strength, laid the foundation for the strong program of work that continues at Ingalls today,” said Brian Blanchette Ingalls Shipbuilding president. “Our shipbuilders remain committed to delivering the most powerful destroyers to the U.S. Navy and I look forward to the day DDG 135 sails from Pascagoula, carrying the name, strength and legacy of Senator Thad Cochran.”
Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hiis-ingalls-shipbuilding-authenticates-keel-of-destroyer-thad-cochran-ddg-135/ .
Ingalls Structural Welder Thomas Ward welded the initials of two authenticators — the ship sponsor and wife of the namesake Kay Webber Bowen Cochran, and George Nungesser, a 37-year and second generation shipbuilder and soon to be retired vice president of program management — onto a steel plate, signifying the keel of DDG 135 to be “truly and fairly laid.” The plate will be affixed to the ship and remain there throughout its lifetime.
“Today’s ceremony is a momentous occasion that Thad would have cherished deeply, especially knowing a ship named in his honor was being built at the very shipyard he advocated for in the Senate,” Kay Cochran said. “To all the outstanding shipbuilders working on this destroyer, your work is essential. I am proud to witness your craftsmanship, knowing that Thad’s legacy of service and commitment to our nation will be embodied in this vessel for decades to come.”
Thad Cochran (DDG 135) is one of five Flight III destroyers currently under construction at Ingalls and represents the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy incorporating a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. To date, Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke -class destroyers including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) , and is currently constructing Ted Stevens (DDG 128), which recently completed its first builder’s sea trials and is currently underway for its second trials, Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133) and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed, built and maintained amphibious ships and destroyers for the U.S. Navy for over 86 years. To learn more about the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke -class destroyer program at Ingalls work visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/guided-missile-destroyers/arleigh-burke-class/ .
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
Contact:
Kimberly Aguillard
[email protected]
(228) 355-5663
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/285192de-f05c-4af8-b67b-7df83ce658dc
