Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Ingalls Shipbuilding has officially begun fabrication on a new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) for the U.S. Navy.
The official start of fabrication means the first 100 tons of steel have been cut for the vessel.
"Starting fabrication on another destroyer is a great way to start the year," Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. "Ingalls has delivered 29 of these ships to the U.S. Navy, and our hot production line continues to improve the construction process.
"The ships are tremendous assets to our country's fleet, and we look forward to delivering another quality destroyer to the Navy."
The ship's is named in honor of Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross and second superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in January 1911.
Ingalls Shipbuiding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, now has five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction under a 2013 five-ship contract.
