Amphibious transport dock 'Arlington' (LPD 24) built by Huntington Ingalls Industries successfully completes U.S. Navy acceptance sea trials.
The company's eighth ship in the LPD 17 class returned to Pascagoula following three days of at-sea demonstrations and testing.
While at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) observed more than 200 test events demonstrated on the ship by Ingalls' test and trials team. The team thoroughly tested ship systems such as anchor handling, flight operations, steering, navigation, and ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck. The team also performed a full power demonstration.
"We have a good working relationship with Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Gulf Coast, and together, we had a very good sea trial," said Richard Schenk, Ingalls' vice president of test and trials. "LPD 24 is a great ship, and she performed well for INSURV. We even had an opportunity to steam in formation with Anchorage (LPD 23) while at sea. It takes a great deal of logistical planning to pull off such a successful trial, and I would like to congratulate the Ingalls and SUPSHIP teams for making this a success."
The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, they functionally replace more than 41 ships (the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.
Ingalls has delivered seven ships in the class and has four more in various stages of construction, including Arlington (LPD 24), which will be commissioned next spring.