Ship completes acceptance trials

AVONDALE, La. -- Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that the amphibious transport dock Somerset (LPD 25) returned from successful U.S. Navy acceptance sea trials on Sept. 20. The company's ninth ship in the San Antonio (LPD 17) class returned to the company's Avondale facility following three days of at-sea demonstrations and testing. The 684-foot-long vessel's primary mission is to transport up to 800 Marines, their fighting vehicles and aircraft. Two other LPDs are also under construction at the Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard. John P. Murtha (LPD 26) is slated for completion in 2016, and Portland (LPD 27) will complete in 2017. (Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries, 10/10/13) Previous