Article Posted on : - Oct 06, 2011

The amphibious transport dock San Diego (LPD 22). Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI (BNS): The amphibious transport dock, San Diego (LPD 22), has returned over the weekend from successful builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico.

The ship is currently under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Ingalls' test and trials team tested the ship's main propulsion, communications, steering and navigational radar systems, among others.

According to the builder, more than 200 test events took place during the four-day sea trial, including anchor handling, flight operations, ballasting/de-ballasting the well deck and compartment air balancing.

The ship will now prepare for acceptance sea trials to demonstrate the same tests and seaworthiness to the US Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Huntington Ingalls is scheduled to deliver the ship to the Navy by the end of 2011.

The LPD 17-class ships provides 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.

The San Antonio-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades.

The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22.