The US Navy’s San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, Anchorage (LPD 23), has successfully completed its sea acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the final major milestone prior to its delivery to the navy.
Ingalls vice president of test and trials Richard Schenk said: "LPD 23 proved herself ready as we demonstrated the major systems on the ship, including some weapons system testing."
Jointly conducted by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and the navy team, the five-day trials included testing of the ship’s systems and more than 220 demonstrations.
The vessel validated its systems, including main propulsion engineering and ship control systems, combat and communications systems, damage control, as well as various mission systems, in addition to shipboard wide area network, food service and crew support.
The ship also demonstrated its anchor handling, flight operations, steering, navigation, ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck, as well as compartment air balancing to the US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) team.
Ingalls LPD 17 Programme vice president and programme manager Doug Lounsberry said: "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."
Powered by four turbo-charged diesel engines, the 684ft-long, 24,900t Anchorage ship can cruise at a speed of 22k, accommodate a crew 800 and has been designed to support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions for the Navy.
HII has delivered the first six of ten San Antonio-class ships to date, while the remaining four vessels including LPD 23 are currently at various stages of construction.
Image: The US Navy’s amphibious transport dock Anchorage (LPD 23) undergoing sea trials. Photo: courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
