The US Navy’s future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Delbert D Black (DDG 119), has successfully concluded its acceptance trials.
Sea trials were conducted for two days in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel then returned to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Ingalls Shipbuilding Division.
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The ship and its crew performed several manoeuvres and demonstrated capabilities, which were reviewed by the US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).
Before delivering the vessel to the US Navy, trials are conducted to examine the quality of construction and adherence to navy requirements and specifications.
It also marks the completion of the third and final round of sea trials for the destroyer.
Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships DDG 51 class programme manager captain Seth Miller said: “The ship performed exceptionally well and demonstrated that the ship is materially ready to execute her mission.
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By GlobalData“The success of these trials validates this highly capable ship will be a force multiplier when she joins the fleet.”
DDG 119 vessel is integrated with the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system. It features integrated air and missile defence capabilities, including enhanced computing power and radar upgrades.
The upgraded capabilities will allow the destroyer to better address modern air warfare and ballistic missile defence threats.
The keel of the vessel was laid in June 2016 and the ship is expected to be delivered to the US Navy later this year.
The Arleigh Burke-class vessel is one of the four destroyers under construction at HII’s Pascagoula shipyard.
Other future destroyers are Frank E Peterson Jr (DDG 121), Lenah H Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), and Jack H Lucas (DDG 125).
Once operational, DDG 119 and her sister ships will contribute to global maritime security.
Conversion and Repair Gulf Coast Shipbuilding supervisor captain Nathan Schneider said: “DDG 119’s exceptional performance during these trials is a direct reflection of the teamwork between Ingalls Shipbuilding and the navy.
“I am proud of this ship and I am extremely proud of the Ingalls Shipbuilding and navy team that built her. Right behind DDG 119 are follow-on DDGs that will be even better, including the first Flight III DDG, which is a real game changer.”
