AVONDALE, La., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's ninth San Antonio class amphibious transport dock has completed builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico.
The ship's maker, Huntington Ingalls Industries, said the USS Somerset was put through more than 200 test events, including anchor handling, flight operations, ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck and compartment air balancing, during three days at sea.
"We put Somerset through rigorous testing last week," said Mike Duthu, director of Ingalls' LPD Program. "We are extremely pleased with the fit and finish on the ship and how well she performed. LPD 25 proved her seaworthiness with strong performance in several different tests, including the ship's propulsion, steering, navigation, communications and weapons.
"The team did a great job getting LPD 25 to this point. We have already started preparations for Navy acceptance trials and we have confidence that we'll be ready."
The Somerset is the ninth San Antonio class ship built at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division. The company is building the entire class of ships and eight have been delivered.
The Somerset is 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and will be used to transport and land U.S. Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore using air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles. The ship can also carry helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
