Bath Iron Works lays DDG 111 keel

BATH, Maine, May 21 (UPI) -- Bath Iron Works announced it has laid the keel for the first Ultra Unit DDG 111 destroyer vessel for the U.S. Navy.

Maine-based Bath Iron Works has laid the keel of the Navy's new Spruance (DDG 111) Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Officials say the Spruance destroyer is the first Ultra Unit to be completed at the company's Ultra Hall facility.

The Ultra Hall Facility, opened by Bath Iron Works in 2008, enables the company to perform an extended amount of testing and ship measurements preparations indoors, which improves safety and productivity.

According to a news release, the Spruance keel unit "represents the next major step in the shipyard's commitment to construct high-quality affordable ships."