I attended the christening of the USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) at Bath Iron Works in Maine. The LBJ is the third and final Zumwalt-class destroyer. It was christened by Johnson’s daughters, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson and a variety of public officials, both civilian and military, spoke.
![USS Lyndon B. Johnson Christening](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40751581383_1c069af9d6_z.jpg)
Manufacturing each ship costs over $4 billion. $12 billion dollars was spent on R&D for the class. Originally 30 were planned.
![USS Lyndon B. Johnson Christening](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46801592885_3b4474a7b5_z.jpg)
It has two specially designed 155mm cannons that were designed to attack land targets in support of amphibious landings. However, since the cost of each shell is $1 million, the Navy has decided not to procure this ammunition leaving the ships without any way to use their cannons. The Navy is looking for a new future for the three ships.
![USS Lyndon B. Johnson Christening](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32774679807_0defa5aefd_z.jpg)
The bow uses a tumblehome design that adds to the stealthy quality of the ship…
![USS Lyndon B. Johnson Christening](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40751580513_8359299889_z.jpg)
…as does the shape of the superstructure.
![USS Lyndon B. Johnson Christening](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32774680377_10c9ce7031_z.jpg)
They are still working on the LBJ and it is expected to be at Bath Iron Works for at least another year. At least four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers were in various stages of construction with the Daniel Inouye the furthest along. The production process is quite modular.
The ceremony was live streamed and is available on-line. You can also view larger versions of my photos.