The ship’s namesake served in the U.S. Senate for 36 years from 1979-2015. As the longest serving senator in Michigan state history, Levin became a staunch supporter of the armed services through his work and leadership as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. 

Bath Iron Works laid the keel of DDG 120 on 02 February 2019 and launched the ship on 16 May 2021.

“Technology Insertion” ships are fitted with elements from the future DDG 51 Flight III. DDG 120 will come with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat System which includes Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability. This system delivers quick reaction time, high firepower, and increased electronic countermeasures capability for Anti-Air Warfare. DDG 120’s delivery to the fleet is planned for Fiscal Year 2021.