The US Navy will name a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile vessel after the late senator for Mississippi Thad Cochran.

Cochran served as an ensign in the US Navy and was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. He completed his service in the navy in 1961.

He was the senator for Mississippi from 1978 to 2018.

During his two stints as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, Cochran supported shipbuilding programmes for the navy, marine corps, and the coast guard.

US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said: “From his service as a legal officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS Macon, to his dedicated work on behalf of our Sailors and Marines on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Thad Cochran was always a strong advocate for our nation’s defence and a courtly voice for cooperation and civility in American politics.”

The naming decision is in line with the navy’s practice of naming guided-missile destroyers after members of the navy, marine corps, and coast guard, as well as Congress members related to naval affairs.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are built to carry out peacetime presence and crisis response missions.

The future USS Thad Cochran destroyer will be able to fight surface, air and subsurface warfare simultaneously.

According to the navy, the ship will be equipped with ‘offensive and defensive weapon systems to support maritime warfare, including integrated air and missile defence and vertical launch capabilities’.

At a length of 509ft, the ship will operate at a speed of more than 30k.