Northrop Grumman has delivered the Truxtun guided missile destroyer to the Navy 10 weeks ahead of schedule to the Navy.

Northrop officials say the Truxtun’s crew is scheduled to move aboard Dec. 8.

The Truxtun, DDG 103, is the 25th Aegis guided missile destroyer produced by Northrop Grumman. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is expected to be commissioned in spring 2009.

Cmdr. Timothy Weber is the ship’s first commanding officer.

Acceptance trials for the Truxtun were completed Oct. 3.

The ship is named for Commodore Thomas Truxtun, captain of USS Constellation. Truxtun began his career as a privateer during the American Revolution.

It was built at Northrop’s shipyard in Pascagoula.