US Navy commissions 9,700-ton USS Ted Stevens with advanced missile radar system

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), during a ceremony in Whittier, Alaska, on October 3. The commissioning places the roughly 9,700-ton (8,800-metric-ton) warship into active service as the second Flight III destroyer in the U.S. fleet.

The ship is named after the late Senator Ted Stevens, who represented Alaska in the U.S. Senate from 1968 to 2009. The ceremony also highlighted Alaska’s importance to U.S. naval operations in the North Pacific and Arctic regions.

Advanced radar and combat system

USS Ted Stevens is equipped with the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. The Flight III configuration is designed to strengthen the destroyer’s ability to conduct anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense simultaneously.

The ship also supports anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and strike warfare. Its Mk 41 vertical launching system provides the ship with a major part of its offensive and defensive weapon capability.

The destroyer has enhanced electrical power distribution and additional cooling capacity to support its advanced systems. These upgrades are intended to help the ship operate in demanding combat environments while working with U.S. and allied forces.

“Today, USS Ted Stevens is no longer preparing to join the fleet. Today, Ted Stevens is the fleet,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy The Honorable Hung Cao. “Today, USS Ted Stevens stands ready to defend the homeland, deter aggression, and when called upon, fight and win.”

A ship built in Mississippi

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division constructed USS Ted Stevens at its Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard. The destroyer completed the builder’s sea trials earlier in 2025 before undergoing acceptance trials under the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.

The Navy accepted delivery of the ship on December 29, 2025. It left Ingalls Shipbuilding on May 8, 2026, and reached Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia seven days later.

Before its commissioning, the destroyer sailed from Norfolk to Florida and then traveled to Alaska through the Panama Canal. It will return to Norfolk after completing post-commissioning operations.

Honoring Ted Stevens

The commissioning ceremony also recognized Stevens’ military service. During World War II, he served as a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot and flew transport missions over the Himalayas in the China-Burma-India theatre.

He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals for his wartime service. Stevens later became a prominent advocate for Alaska and the U.S. armed forces during his four decades in the Senate.

The ship’s sponsors, Catherine Ann Stevens, Susan Stevens Covich and Lily Stevens Becker, gave the traditional order, “Man our ship and bring her to life!”

“I am deeply honored and proud to be your sponsor, along with my mother and sister Susan,” expressed Lily Stevens Becker, daughter of Senator Ted Stevens. “As you wake up every day, know that we and every person here believe in you to take care of this ship, take care of each other, and to uphold the peace and safety of our nation.”

Norfolk will be its permanent home

Capt. Mary Katey Hayes, commanding officer of USS Ted Stevens, said the crew was prepared for operational service.

“To my crew, my shipmates, the men and women who are the heart and soul of this great ship, you have exceeded all expectations,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mary Katey Hayes, commanding officer of USS Ted Stevens. “We are ready to answer our nation’s call. We are ready to defend freedom, whether the winds of war blow near the rugged coast of Alaska, or in the far reaches of the globe.”

The Navy said the Whittier commissioning also reflects Alaska’s role in northern maritime defense. After post-commissioning activities, USS Ted Stevens will return to Norfolk, where it will be based for future worldwide deployments.