Huntington Ingalls Industries announced yesterday the completion of another successful sea trial as the amphibious transport dock Anchorage (LPD 23) returned from a three-day testing voyage in the Gulf of Mexico.
The company’s seventh ship in the LPD 17 class returned Friday following rigorous testing of most of the ship’s systems. The ship is currently under construction at Ingalls’ Avondale facility.
“The objective of any shipbuilding program is to continuously improve performance, and this sea trial proves that notion, ” said Doug Lounsberry, Ingalls’ vice president and program manager, LPD 17 Program. “I t never ceases to amaze me how a sea trial comes together. It’s an overwhelming amount of logistics and coordination, yet our team continuously performs well. I’m also proud of the shipbuilders’ efforts for getting LPD 23 ready for this acceptance trial. The ship handled her three days at sea very well, and now we’ve got to continue effective work as we prepare to deliver the ship to the Navy in the third quarter. Congratulations to all involved with this sea trial.”
During the five-day acceptance trial evolution on land and at sea, the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) observed more than 220 test events demonstrated on the ship by Ingalls’ test and trials team. The team thoroughly tested ship systems such as anchor handling, flight operations, steering, navigation, ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck, and compartment air balancing.
“ Once again, our strong partnership with the Navy/SupShip team worked well during this acceptance trial,” said Richard Schenk, Ingalls’ vice president of test and trials. “ LPD 23 proved herself ready as we demonstrated the major systems on the ship, including some weapons system testing. This successful sea trial is a credit to the test and trials team and all the dedicated shipbuilders who played a part in building Anchorage. A ‘well done’ to everyone associated with this acceptance trial.”
The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy’s ability to project power ashore. Collectively, they functionally replace more than 41 ships (the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.
Ingalls has delivered six ships in the class and has four more in various stages of construction, including LPD 23. Advance procurement contracts have been awarded for an 11th ship, LPD 27.
The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, June 26, 2012; Image: HII