Navy LPD John P. Murtha passes builder's trials

PASCAGOULA, Miss., March 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy reports the John P. Murtha, its future amphibious transport dock, successfully completed builder's trials earlier this month.

The trials of the ship, designated LPD 26, by Huntington Ingalls Industries occurred over four days and included at-sea demonstrations, which ready the ship for full testing demonstrations with the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey.

The at-sea trials included a full power run, a self-defense detect-to-engage exercise, evaluation of key combat and communications systems, rapid ballast/de-ballast operations, steering checks, and an anchor handling demonstration.

"LPD 26 continues the trend of improving performance as the shipbuilder incorporates lessons learned from the previous nine commissioned LPDs," said Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 Class Program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. "The ship has met another critical milestone as it progresses toward Acceptance Trials, Delivery, and eventual service with the fleet."

The John P Murtha, the 10th ship of the LPD 17 San Antonio class, is for the deployment of combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and brigades. It is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall and will be homeported in San Diego.

The ship is currently at the HII shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.