LPD 24 completes builder trials

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries reports the amphibious transport dock it's building for the U.S. Navy has completed builder trials.

Testing of the USS Arlington (LPD 24) included dock and sea trials. In sea trials, conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 200 test events took.

Among the systems tested were anchor handling, flight operations, ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck and compartment air balancing.

"Our shipbuilding team worked diligently to get this ship ready for sea," said Doug Lounsberry, Ingalls' vice president and program manager, LPD 17 Program. "The LPD team will continue to work just as hard getting Arlington ready for her acceptance trial in October.

"LPD 24 proved her seaworthiness with strong performance in several different tests, including the ship's propulsion, steering, navigation, communications and weapons."

The Arlington is to be delivered to the Navy this year.

Huntington Ingalls said it has delivered six ships in the LPD 17 class and has five more in various stages of construction.

The ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace about 25,000 tons.