NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's newest nuclear submarine, the USS Texas, completed sea trials this week off the coast of Virginia.
The Virginia-class boat sailed into Newport News with a broom tied to its sail, indicating a "clean sweep" of the objectives in the trials leading up to next month's delivery to the fleet.
"Today is a great day to be a shipbuilder," Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman Newport News, said Wednesday. "There is nothing better than bringing a brand-new ship back to the shipyard from her alpha sea trials."
The trials consisted of high-speed runs both on and below the surface that tested the Texas' systems, components and compartments. The trials were the first time the Texas had operated submerged, Northrop said.
The Texas is the second of the Virginia class attack subs that the Navy has penciled in to replace the Los Angeles and Sea Wolf classes. The boat is slightly longer and heavier than the older boats and carries much of the same weaponry. It emphasizes running quietly and is designed to accommodate anticipated technological advances over the years.
The Virginia class is designed to operate in shallow coastal waters and deploy unmanned underwater vehicles. The Navy plans to buy 30 Virginia class subs over the coming decades, with Northrop and General Dynamics Electric Boat building the first 10.
