USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) is an Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA Technology Insertion guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy,[6] the 71st overall for the class. The ship was named for United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General Frank E. Petersen Jr.[7] the first African-American Marine Corps aviator[8] and the first African-American Marine Corps general.[9] The contract for the ship, along with the name, was first announced in a press release from Huntington Ingalls Industries on 30 March 2016.[10]

USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. in August 2021
History
United States
NameFrank E. Petersen Jr.
NamesakeFrank E. Petersen
Awarded3 June 2013
BuilderIngalls Shipbuilding
Laid down21 February 2017[1]
Launched13 July 2018[2]
Sponsored byAlicia J. Petersen, D’Arcy Neller
Christened6 October 2018[3]
Acquired30 November 2021[4]
Commissioned14 May 2022
HomeportPearl Harbor
IdentificationHull number: DDG-121
MottoInto the Tiger's Jaw
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeArleigh Burke-class destroyer
Displacement9,217 tons (full load)[5]
Length513 ft (156 m)[5]
Beam66 ft (20 m)[5]
Propulsion4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines 100,000 shp (75,000 kW)[5]
Speed31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph)[5]
Complement380 officers and enlisted
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
Aviation facilitiesDouble hangar and helipad

Construction and career

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The first "cutting of steel" took place in April 2016[11] and her keel was laid on 21 February 2017.[12] She was launched on 13 July 2018.[13] and christened on 6 October 2018.[3] The ship was commissioned on 14 May 2022 at Charleston, South Carolina.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Huntington Ingalls Industries Authenticates Keel For Destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121)" (Press release). Huntington Ingalls Industries. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Huntington Ingalls Industries Launches Guided Missile Destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121)" (Press release). Huntington Ingalls Industries. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Huntington Ingalls Industries Christens Destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121)" (Press release). Huntington Ingalls Industries. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr" (Press release). NAVSEA. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class". Federation of American Scientists. FAS.org. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  6. ^ "DDG 51 Arleigh DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Destroyer -New Construction Program Construction Program" (PDF). Navy Sea Systems Command. United States Department of the Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  7. ^ Bernstein, Adam (26 August 2015). "Frank Petersen Jr., first black Marine Corps pilot and general, dies at 83". Washington Post. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  8. ^ "MSNBC, LtGen Frank E. Petersen, First Black Aviator". MSNBC. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Encyclopedia.com, Frank E. Petersen 1932– bio". Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  10. ^ "HII.com, DDG-121 Contract Awarded To Ingalls Shipbuilding". Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  11. ^ "USS Frank E Petersen Jr Begins Fabrication". US Navy. Retrieved 10 December 2016. The milestone, which signifies the first 100 tons of steel being cut, was marked with a ceremony held in the shipyard's fabrication shop, April 27.
  12. ^ "Keel Laid for Future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr" (Press release). United States Navy. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  13. ^ "US Navy Launches Future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr" (Press release). United States Navy. 16 July 2018. NNS180716-21. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  14. ^ "U.S. Navy Commissions Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121)". Naval News. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
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