Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered its 16th Aegis guided missile destroyer, Shoup, to the U.S. Navy, this time using streamlined testing that saved fuel, time and personnel costs.
Shoup is the
first Aegis destroyer to have only one at-sea trial, which was followed by a second trial held pier-side, marking the first time in the history of the company's Ingalls Operations that this system has been used. Previously, each ship underwent two separate sea trial evolutions in the Gulf of Mexico.
"We're delivering her right on schedule," said Dr. Philip A. Dur, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems sector. He noted that the delivery of Shoup continues the company's tradition of making each ship in its class even better than the previous one.
"By conducting only one of the ship's two trial periods at sea, we save on fuel and on the costs associated with having a company and Navy workforce at sea," said Dr. Dur. "Much of this cost is eliminated. This new schedule is indicative of our Navy customer's confidence and satisfaction that the Aegis team can approach a single underway trial, eliminating costs and maintaining a high level of quality for our ships," he continued.
Shoup accomplished her at-sea trial Jan. 22-25 and her equally successful pier-side trial Jan. 29-30.
"I am very pleased with both the level of completion and the performance of the systems tested during the sea trial," said Capt. Phil Johnson, USN, supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula. "Northrop Grumman Ship Systems employees have worked very hard to bring what was originally a very aggressive construction schedule into reality. The level of completion and system reliability at sea trials displayed by Shoup will no doubt add confidence to the upcoming decision to conduct only one underway trial for
future ships," said Capt. Johnson.
"This is yet another example of how the teamwork of Northrop Grumman, the Aegis contractor team and the Navy has resulted in lower costs and improved products to the government," Capt. Johnson continued. "I commend Northrop Grumman, the Navy's Aegis New
Construction Program Office and the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey for making possible this opportunity to enhance the ship's completeness."
Designated DDG 86, Shoup is named for U.S. Marine Corps Gen.
David M. Shoup, the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps and World War
II Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions during landings on
Betio, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific in 1943.
Cmdr. E. Bernard Carter, USN, of Hopkins, S.C., is the ship's
commanding officer.
Shoup will depart from Pascagoula in April. It will join the
U.S. Pacific Fleet during commissioning ceremonies June 22, 2002, in
Seattle, Wash. Shoup will be homeported in Everett, Wash.