New U.S. Navy submarine completes first sea trials

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 8 (UPI) -- The latest Virginia class submarine for the U.S. Navy has completed alpha sea trails, boat's first round of at-sea tests and evaluations.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, who's Newport News Shipbuilding division is constructing the USS Minnesota (SSN 783), said all systems, components and compartments were tested during the trials conducted while the vessel was on the surface and submerged.

Two more rounds of sea trials are scheduled before the vessel's delivery to the Navy this month.

Construction of the submarine began in early 2008.

"This submarine is the result of a lot of hard work by the shipbuilders here at Newport News, our teammates at Electric Boat and the overall Navy organizational structure, including NAVSEA, SUPSHIP and ship's force personnel," said Jim Hughes, NNS' vice president of submarines and fleet support.

"It is incredibly gratifying for all of us to see this magnificent vessel operate so well during her first at-sea period. Minnesota clearly carries on the Virginia class tradition of continuous cost and schedule improvement while also raising the bar on operational readiness and capability."