The US Navy’s fifth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS New York (LPD 21), has successfully completed a chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) defence system test off the coast of Virginia, US.
The San Antonio-class amphibious assault ships feature various CBR defence capabilities such as improved point detection system lifecycle replacement (IPDS-LR) technology to support missions in a chemical warfare environment, according to the Defense Department Operational Test and Evaluation Force report.
During the simulated chemical attack trial, a helicopter was used to spray a personnel-safe, chemical weapon on the ship.
The vapour cloud chemical agent was detected by the USS New York’s IPDS-LR defence system and enabled effective response to the CBR warfare scenario.
In addition, the crew also demonstrated their ability to conduct amphibious operations by launching two landing craft, air-cushioned vehicles in a contaminated environment.
Program Executive Office for Ships Amphibious and Auxiliary Sealift programmes executive director Jay Stefany said that the successful completion of CBR defence test on the USS New York ship marks final major operational test event for the LPD 17-class programme.
"The test sets a new precedent of using our helicopter-mounted chemical simulant sprayer and referee equipment for future ship CBR defense tests," said Pompeii.
Before the end of 2018, the US Navy is planning to install the new system onto all currently deployed frigates and ships.
The LPD 17-class ships will replace more than 40 vessels currently in-service with the US Navy, which include Austin-class (LPD 4), Anchorage-class (LSD 36), Charleston-class (LKA 113) and Newport-class (LST 1179) amphibious ships.
Image: USS New York alongside USS San Antonio in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: US Navy photo by mass communication specialist 1st class Edwin F Bryan.
