Shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] said on Friday it has successfully completed Builder’s Trials of the Coast Guard’s third Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC), the Stratton (WMSL 752), a key milestone before the Coast Guard begins its own operational evaluation of the vessel this summer.
The Coast Guard is planning to do its acceptance trials of the Stratton in August in preparation for taking delivery of the 418-foot high-endurance cutter this fall. The Stratton is currently 91 percent complete.
During Stratton’s three-day sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico last week, the company tested the propulsion, electrical, damage control, anchor handling, small boat, combat systems, and C4ISR and navigational systems. On Friday the Stratton completed a four-hour, full-power propulsion run.
During the acceptance trials, the Coast Guard and its Navy partners will draw up a “punch list” of any fixes or issues that HII will need to address before delivery of the vessel.
HII was awarded a contract for the fourth NSC, the Hamilton, last November. The Coast Guard plans to buy eight NSCs.