The journey from conception to commissioning of a U.S. naval ship is a long process with multiple milestones. It starts with a design phase, where naval architects and engineers work collaboratively to create blueprints that meet the Navy’s operational requirements. These plans undergo multiple revisions and simulations to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. At the same time, these blueprints are somewhat standardized as each of these ships falls into different classes within the naval fleet. (Also see, the 17 most expensive U.S. Navy warships and submarines.)
Once the design is finalized, the shipbuilding process begins. This typically takes place at a shipyard, where technicians assemble the ship’s hull, propulsion systems, weaponry, and electronic systems. The first step in this stage is laying the keel for the ship and then the construction begins from this base. Throughout the process, there are quality control measures that guarantee the ship’s structural integrity and functionality.
After the ship reaches its final form, it undergoes another long series of tests and trials. These include sea trials, during which the vessel is evaluated under real-world conditions. Any defects or deficiencies discovered are rectified before proceeding further. Several ships are in this process to be delivered to the U.S. Navy.
To identify the upcoming vessels that the Navy will be adding to its fleet, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed upcoming Navy commissionings from the Navy League, an online publication that tracks the construction and commissioning of naval vessels. We ordered these ships alphabetically and included ships at various stages of construction and commissioning but only those that have at least had their keel laid. Supplemental information about each ship’s hull number, class, construction location, and the current status came from the Navy League as well. It should be noted that some of these ships have been built already, but were awaiting commissioning, as of early September. (On the other hand, see the U.S. Navy ships that are being decommissioned and when.)
After the design, construction, and testing stages is the long-awaited commissioning. Historically, commissioning ceremonies are a time-honored tradition that marks each ship’s entry into active naval service. The ceremony typically involves the ship’s crew, top-ranking Navy officials, and distinguished guests. During this event, the ship is officially named, and its commanding officer assumes command.
The newest ships about to enter the U.S. Navy predominantly consist of Virginia-class nuclear submarines and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. There are a few of the new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers that are planned to enter service in the next decade, so as to replace the aging Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that were introduced over half a century ago.
Editor’s note: This article was produced using automated technology and then fine-tuned for accuracy by a member of 24/7 Wall St.’s editorial team.
Here is a look at the ships being built for the U.S. Navy:
SSN-803 Arizona
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Keel laid December 2022
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
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SSN-800 Arkansas
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
LCS-34 Augusta
> Class: Independence-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Delivered May 2023
> Construction location: Mobile, Alabama
LCS-29 Beloit
> Class: Freedom-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Christened May 2022
> Construction location: Marinette, Wisconsin
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LHA-8 Bougainville
> Class: America-class amphibious assault ship
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
LCS-31 Cleveland
> Class: Freedom-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Launched April 2023
> Construction location: Marinette, Wisconsin
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FFG-62 Constellation
> Class: Constellation-class guided-missile frigate
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Marinette, Wisconsin
SSBN-826 District of Columbia
> Class: Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
> Status: Keel laid June 2022
> Construction location: Groton, Connecticut
CVN-81 Doris Miller
> Class: Gerald Ford-class aircraft carrier
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
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CVN-80 Enterprise
> Class: Gerald Ford-class aircraft carrier
> Status: Keel laid August 2022
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
LHA-9 Fallujah
> Class: America-class amphibious assault ship
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
[in-text-ad]
DDG-131 George M. Neal
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
24/7 Wall St.
LPD-30 Harrisburg
> Class: San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
DDG-124 Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Christened July 2023
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
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SSN-795 Hyman G. Rickover
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Christened July 2021
> Construction location: Groton, Connecticut
SSN-799 Idaho
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Groton, Connecticut
[in-text-ad]
SSN-797 Iowa
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Christened June 2023
> Construction location: Groton, Connecticut
DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Delivered June 2023
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
DDG-129 Jeremiah Denton
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
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DDG-122 John Basilone
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Christened June 2022
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
CVN-79 John F. Kennedy
> Class: Gerald Ford-class aircraft carrier
> Status: Fitting out
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
[in-text-ad]
ESB-6 John L. Canley
> Class: ESB-class mobile landing platform
> Status: Delivered March 2023
> Construction location: San Diego, California
LCS-36 Kingsville
> Class: Independence-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Christened April 2023
> Construction location: Mobile, Alabama
DDG-126 Louis H. Wilson, Jr.
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Keel laid May 2023
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
DDG-1002 Lyndon B. Johnson
> Class: Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Christened April 2019
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
[in-text-ad]
SSN-798 Massachusetts
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Christened May 2023
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
LCS-27 Nantucket
> Class: Freedom-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Christened August 2021
> Construction location: Marinette, Wisconsin
SSN-796 New Jersey
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Launched April 2022
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
[in-text-ad-2]
SSN-802 Oklahoma
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Newport News, Virginia
DDG-127 Patrick Gallagher
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
[in-text-ad]
LCS-38 Pierre
> Class: Independence-class littoral combat ship
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Mobile, Alabama
LPD-31 Pittsburgh
> Class: San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
DDG-132 Quentin Walsh
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
LPD-29 Richard M. McCool
> Class: San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
> Status: Christened June 2022
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
ESB-7 Robert E. Simanek
> Class: ESB-class mobile landing platform
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: San Diego, California
[in-text-ad]
DDG-133 Sam Nunn
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
DDG-128 Ted Stevens
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Pascagoula, Mississippi
SSN-801 Utah
> Class: Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Groton, Connecticut
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DDG-130 William Charette
> Class: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
> Status: Under construction
> Construction location: Bath, Maine
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