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Maine | The Way Life Should Be: A photo portrait of the pine tree state

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P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e 119 the Land Level Transfer Facility is where ships are built, launched and retrieved using any one of three shipbuilding stations. This facility, coupled with a new, environmentally controlled Ultra Hall assembly build- ing, has led to many BIW process improvements that are revolutionizing the way naval surface combatants are built. Driven by a focus on continuous improve- ment, BIW delivers unprecedented productivity, leg- endary quality, and affordability. Naval warship construction is a highly complex un- dertaking given the size and technological sophistica- tion of the final product. For example, a typical Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class guided missile destroyer is 510 feet long, weighs 9,300 tons and contains 6,200 tons of steel, nearly 50 miles of piping, over 250 miles of elec- trical cable, 6,500 light fixtures, and thousands of me- chanical and electronic pieces of equipment BIW builds ships in large modules which can weigh up to 5,000 tons, more than twice the weight of a World War II destroyer. Modules are assembled, painted and outfitted within environmentally controlled buildings which provide a safer, more comfortable and more ef- ficient work environment. When each module is com- plete, it is then transported outdoors onto the Land Level Transfer Facility where it will be joined with other modules. When the ship reaches a high level of comple- tion, it is moved into a drydock and floated off for final systems activation and testing. When it goes to sea for the first time, BIW employees operate the ship through a series of rigorous tests and demonstrations known as "sea trials" to prove its quality and performance to the Navy customer. A successful sea trial leads to the deliv- ery of the ship to the Navy and its ultimate welcoming into the fleet at its commissioning ceremony. Since 1991, BIW has delivered 34 Arleigh Burke class destroyers to the U.S. Navy. After a DDG 51 ship built by BIW or another shipyard joins the fleet, BIW provides design and engineering support to the Navy for modernization and maintenance throughout the ship's 35 – 40 year life span. BIW's eight home port of- fices around the world provide services for these ships wherever they are deployed. BIW is proud to be building three of the U.S. Navy's newest and most technologically advanced ships, the Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class destroyer. These ships, the first all-new destroyers designed for the U.S. Navy in many decades, contain many new technologies, in- cluding an advanced electric drive propulsion system, a wave-piercing hull form, composite superstructure, advanced radars, and extensive automation, providing reduced crew size and lower operating costs. As these ships enter service over the next few years, they will deliver revolutionary capabilities to the U.S. Navy. Above all, BIW's core business is the design and construction of complex naval surface combatants and, as a full-service shipyard, it also specializes in the design and manufacture of highly outfitted, complex assemblies. The company's workforce is focused on customer satisfaction and possesses considerable expe- rience in collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and other groups. Beyond business, BIW employees have a proud re- cord of community involvement. Whether supporting the United Way, food drives, fundraisers, or construc- tion of Habitat for Humanity homes, BIW employees are engaged. Since 1884, BIW has consistently demonstrated how to build tough, high-quality and affordable ships. In- novation and constant improvement are the underpin- nings of its continuous pursuit of greater efficiency and value to its customers and shareholders. BIW is a company steeped in heritage, ready for the future and proud to be in Maine. P h o t o c o u r t e s y o f G e n e r a l D y n a M i c s B a t h i r o n W o r k s ( D . G r i G G s , ta n n e r y h i l l s t u D i o s ) P h o t o c o u r t e s y o f G e n e r a l D y n a M i c s B a t h i r o n W o r k s ( M . n u t t e r ) Top: An "Ultra Unit" for the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is transported from the Ultra Hall (white building on left) onto the Land Level Transfer Facility to be joined with another module. Weighing more than 4,000 tons, this was the largest ship module ever moved at BIW. Bottom: Michael Murphy (DDG 112) on sea trials in the Gulf of Maine. DDG 112 is the 34th Arleigh Burke class AEGIS Destroyer built by BIW. The ship is named for LT Michael Murphy, USN, a US Navy SEAL killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005. For his actions, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor. Bath Built is Best Built: The legendary performance of BIW's battle- tested US Navy destroyers and today's unyielding commitment to innovation, quality and affordability give BIW a reputation that is second to none.

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