New Navy ship completes acceptance trials

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's eighth San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship has completed acceptance trials, bringing it closer to delivery.

The Navy said that during the trials, a variety of systems on the ship being built by Huntington Ingalls Industries were demonstrated, including the ship's main propulsion engineering and ship control systems, combat and communications systems, damage control systems and various mission systems.

The at-sea portion of the trial included a full-power run, self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, steering checks, quick reversal, boat handling and anchoring.

Several demonstrations required a second ship at sea for communications.

"In the past 50 weeks, the government/industry team on the Gulf Coast has presented three LPD 17 class ships and each has been recommended for Navy acceptance by INSURV (the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey)," said Capt. Steve Mitchell, supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast.

"Because of the effort of our team members who participated in extensive quality assurance, testing and evaluation efforts in the months preceding these trials, three quality amphibious ships will reach the fleet in a year's time."

LPD 24 is expected to be delivered to the Navy this year and commissioned next April.