A Virginia-class attack submarine named after former U.S. Sen. John Warner has successfully completed an initial round of sea trials, reports UPI.
The U.S. Navy has completed initial sea trials to demonstrate its systems and capabilities. All systems, components and compartments were tested. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds under water and on the surface.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, who's Newport News Shipbuilding is constructing the vessel, John Warner, in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, said the initial sea trials were completed last Saturday.
Huntington Ingalls says in a news release that its Newport News Shipbuilding division will deliver the submarine to the Navy following several more rounds of sea trials. The submarine is on scheduled to be delivered in June.
"Alpha sea trials represent the first underway test of the quality of the craftsmanship that went into the construction of this great vessel and the skill of the crew that operates her," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. "Both the ship and the crew performed incredibly well, resulting in extremely successful trials that enable the ship to advance directly into its next set of tests.
The 7,800-ton submarine is the second Block III Virginia boat following the delivery of USS North Dakota (SSN-784) in August.
Under construction since 2010, the vessel is 99% complete and is on schedule for delivery to the navy next month, more than three months ahead of its contracted delivery date.