Keel laid for future USS Lyndon B. Johnson

The U.S. Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer.

The keel laying ceremony marked the joining of the developing ship's components months ahead of the start of the ship's construction. The event was held at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works' shipyard in Bath, Maine, and was attended by industry and military partners in addition to daughters of former President Lyndon B. Johnson.

"We've made tremendous progress on this ship, and although we're celebrating an early production milestone, we're nearing 60 percent completion on the future Lyndon B. Johnson," DDG 1000 program manager Capt. Kevin Smith said in a press release.

Once completed, the vessel will be the third ship in the U.S. Navy's Zumwalt-class of destroyers, a modern variant designed to replace the branch's legacy Arleigh Burke-class fleet.

Zumwalt-class ships, including the flagship USS Zumwalt and USS Michael Mansoor, are equipped with modern electric propulsion systems, stealth designs, and modern weapons and supporting technology. The vessels are fitted to perform a variety of deterrence missions and project power at sea.

The keel for the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson was laid down as Bath Iron Works continues production for the future USS Michael Monsoor. The Zumwalt is currently undergoing sea trials.