The future USS New York (LPD 21) completed acceptance trials July 24, sailing from and returning to the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) shipyard in New Orleans. The ship's bow stem includes thousands of pounds of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.
New York is the fifth ship of the San Antonio class to be presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) for acceptance. This is the final major milestone prior to the shipyard delivering the amphibious transport dock ship to the Navy.
"The completion of acceptance trials is a major step towards bringing New York into the fleet," said Capt. Bill Galinis, the LPD 17-class Program Manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships). "This week, four out of five San Antonio-class ships were underway at the same time. There's really no better indication that we're delivering urgently needed assets to our warfighters."
During the acceptance trials, NGSB successfully demonstrated a variety of systems including main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, combat systems, damage control, food service and crew support. Among the highlights of the trial, New York successfully completed a full power run, self defense detect-to-engage exercises, ballasting, deballasting, and steering and anchor handling demonstrations.
In addition to the INSURV team, Navy experts from Naval Sea Systems Command, the LPD 17 class Program Office and the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast participated in the trials. Among the most interested ship riders were those men and women from New York's crew who will be moving aboard the ship in August shortly after delivery.
The future USS New York is scheduled for commissioning in New York City on Nov. 7, 2009.
PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships, and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 32 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.