New submarine on sea trials

[unhappycamper]

New submarine on sea trials
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Dec 3, 2009 17:34:21 EST

The sixth submarine of the Navy’s Virginia class, the New Mexico, has successfully completed the first two rounds of builder’s sea trials and, if an upcoming sea trial by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey passes muster, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding expects to deliver the sub to the Navy before the end of the year.

Work on the submarine was delayed most recently by workmanship problems discovered earlier this year in the weapons room handling system. The submarine was about 99 percent complete when the problem was discovered in early August. Similar problems also were found on at least three other Virginia-class submarines. Before the latest problems surfaced, the New Mexico had been scheduled for delivery at the end of September.

The New Mexico’s first sea trials, known as Alpha and Bravo, were conducted virtually back to back. The sub headed out for Alpha trials Nov. 24 and came back to its builder’s yard at Newport News, Va., on Nov. 26 — Thanksgiving Day. The vessel headed back out for Bravo trials the following day.

Even with the delays, the submarine’s building schedule remains well ahead of its contract schedule, which calls for delivery by April 30, 2010.

The New Mexico is expected to be commissioned into Navy service next year at Norfolk, Va.

Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/12/navy_submarine_trials_120309w/

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. before the latest problems surfaced!

a bubblehead pun!
yea!