DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas
Guided Missile Destroyer (Flight III)

Beacon Hobby, 1/350 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125): A New Generation of Destroyer

The United States Navy’s Arleigh Burke–class destroyers have formed the backbone of American surface combat power since the early 1990s. Designed to combine multi-mission flexibility with formidable air defence, anti-submarine, and strike capabilities, the class has continually evolved to meet emerging threats. USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) represents a significant milestone in that evolution, as the first Flight III Arleigh Burke–class destroyer to enter service.

Named in honour of Marine Corps Corporal Jacklyn Harold Lucas, the youngest U.S. serviceman to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War II, Jack H. Lucas carries a legacy of courage and sacrifice befitting a frontline combatant.

From Flight I to Flight III

The original Arleigh Burke design prioritised survivability, speed, and the revolutionary Aegis Combat System, built around the AN/SPY-1 radar. Over successive production flights, improvements were made to sensors, weapons integration, aviation facilities, and electronic warfare systems. By the early 2010s, however, the growing challenge posed by advanced ballistic missiles and near-peer adversaries demanded a substantial leap in capability rather than incremental refinement.

Flight III destroyers were conceived to answer this requirement. At the heart of the upgrade is the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR), a powerful, scalable system offering vastly improved sensitivity, discrimination, and tracking performance compared to its predecessor. Integrating this radar required significant changes to the ship’s electrical generation, cooling capacity, and internal layout—changes that pushed the Arleigh Burke design to its practical limits while preserving commonality with earlier flights.

Construction and Commissioning

USS Jack H. Lucas was laid down at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in November 2019. She was launched in March 2021 and commissioned in October 2023, marking the U.S. Navy’s formal transition into the Flight III era.

Despite the increased complexity of her systems, the ship retains the familiar silhouette of the Arleigh Burke class, with subtle external differences hinting at the enhanced capabilities within. Beneath the decks, however, Jack H. Lucas embodies a generational shift in combat system performance.

Capabilities and Role

Displacing over 9,700 tons fully loaded, Jack H. Lucas is equipped with 96 Mk 41 Vertical Launch System cells, capable of firing a wide array of weapons including Standard Missile variants, Tomahawk cruise missiles, ASROC anti-submarine rockets, and future interceptors yet to be fielded. Combined with the SPY-6 radar and the latest iteration of the Aegis Weapon System, the ship is optimised for integrated air and missile defence in high-threat environments.

Like her predecessors, Jack H. Lucas is a true multi-role combatant, equally at home escorting carrier strike groups, defending key maritime chokepoints, or operating independently as a surface strike and command asset.

A Bridge to the Future

While newer destroyer concepts and next-generation combatants remain on the drawing board, USS Jack H. Lucas demonstrates the enduring adaptability of the Arleigh Burke design. By incorporating cutting-edge sensor technology into a proven hull form, the U.S. Navy has ensured continuity of capability while managing cost, risk, and fleet readiness.

As the lead ship of the Flight III configuration, Jack H. Lucas is more than just another destroyer—she is the standard against which future surface combatants will be measured. In much the same way that earlier Burkes defined their era, DDG-125 stands as a quiet but formidable statement of intent: familiar in form, but profoundly modern in function.

1/350 Arleigh Burke Models Released to Date

A number of Arleigh Burke kits have been released:

• Trumpeter 1/350 USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 — Released: February 2009 (Trumpeter kit #04523). This is one of the earliest modern US Navy destroyers in this scale, representing the lead ship USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51). •

• Dragon 1/350 USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 — Approx. mid-2010s (Dragon kit #1023). Another 1/350 representation of DDG-51 produced by Dragon; specific release year varies by market but widely available through the last decade. (General industry listings).

• Trumpeter 1/350 USS Momsen DDG-92 — Released: November 2009 (Trumpeter kit #04527) — A later Arleigh Burke class ship (DDG-92 Momsen) added to Trumpeter’s lineup.

Other Available 1/350 Burke-Class Kits:

• Dragon 1/350 USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) — Released: circa 2009 (Dragon/Cyber Hobby kit #1033) — A Flight I/Aegis destroyer model offering a different hull and superstructure variant; exact release tracking around mid-2009 across markets.

Some of these kits have multiple releases and reboxings across different distributors and regions.

Beacon Hobby is a new company from China. Their debut release is a 1/350 scale kit of DDG-125 USS Jack H. Lucas, an Arleigh Burke–class destroyer.

At approximately 45 cm in length, the completed model will have real presence on the shelf.

As noted earlier, there have been a number of Arleigh Burke kits released over the years, but much of the existing competition is now beginning to show its age.

Beacon Hobby’s 1/350 scale USS Jack H. Lucas comprises approximately 450 injection-moulded plastic parts, a brass-plated photo-etched fret, fine black metal chain, a decal sheet, and a set of detailed instructions. Considering the finesse of the moulding and the level of detail evident on the sprues, this is a relatively modest parts count.

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The sprues are individually packed in plastic bags, with the most delicate parts additionally protected by foam sheet to prevent damage during transit.

Most of the kit is moulded in grey plastic, with the lower hull supplied in red. The narrow boot-topping strip is moulded separately in black, while several large parts, including the deck, are moulded in a darker grey. A simple display stand consisting of two raised supports is included, along with a nicely detailed Seahawk helicopter.

Moulding quality is excellent throughout. Despite the wide range of part sizes—from very small and delicate to much larger structural components—I could not see any visible moulding flaws on the exterior surfaces at this stage.

Surface detail is an effective combination of raised and recessed features, all of which are crisply rendered. Some parts are very fine and potentially fragile, so care will be required when handling and removing them from the sprues.

I test-fitted the four main hull components straight from the box, without cleaning up sprue attachment points or internal moulding gates. Even so, the fit was positive, aided by cleverly designed tabs and recesses that ensure correct alignment. Surface textures are equally impressive, with sharp definition across all areas.

All key Flight III features are present, including the forecastle, forward VLS, forward superstructure (deckhouse), Aegis radar arrays, aft VLS, hangar superstructure, and flight deck. The turret for the Mk.45 Mod 4 127 mm naval gun is also well rendered.

These major features are broken down sensibly, with buildability clearly in mind. Modellers will appreciate the logical subdivision of large structures into manageable assemblies.

The photo-etched fret is comprehensive, featuring finely executed stairways with integrated handrails, railings and mesh for the flight deck, ladders, and propeller blades for the Seahawk helicopter.

The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk itself is well detailed, with the option to display the photo-etched rotor blades either stowed or deployed.

The decals look to be in register and colours are fine. Markings are supplied for the ship, in particular the flight deck marking, the ship's emblem, US flags and Seahawk markings.

A display stand is included.

Although the instructions do not mention a waterline option, it looks to be a simple matter of omitting the lower hull to achieve this.

Beacon Hobby has made a confident debut with its 1/350 scale USS Jack H. Lucas. At a time when many Arleigh Burke–class kits are beginning to feel dated, this release feels thoroughly modern in both its parts breakdown and level of detail. Moulding quality is excellent, surface detail is crisp, and the engineering shows a clear focus on buildability without compromising finesse.

The inclusion of photo-etched parts, fine metal chain, a comprehensive decal sheet, and a nicely detailed Seahawk helicopter further enhances the overall value of the package. Fit of the main hull components appears positive and well thought out, suggesting a straightforward and enjoyable build despite the relatively high level of detail.

Also importantly, Beacon Hobby has captured the distinctive features of the Flight III Arleigh Burke accurately and convincingly. This kit will appeal to modellers interested in modern US Navy subjects, and if this first release is any indication of what is to come, Beacon Hobby is a company well worth watching.

Thanks to Beacon Hobby for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2026 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 February, 2026
Last updated 5 February, 2026

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