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The The US Navy’s eighth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) has started sea trials as part of a 16-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia, US.
Truman’s commanding officer captain Dee Mewbourne said: "Today’s successful underway was the product of Truman and NNSY’s hard work and dedication for the past 16 months in the shipyard."
The aircraft carrier will undergo testing to validate its system capabilities in surface operations, deck seamanship, flight-deck operations and damage control readiness.
During the sea trials, which are being carried out in collaboration with the NNSY, the Truman sailors will also undergo a qualification process to ensure operability of equipment and systems while at sea.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd class Daniel Colon assigned to air department said: "We have to make sure that the crew is qualified as well as the ship."
A series of training exercises will also be performed by the sailors and will be evaluated to complete final qualification standards during the trials.
Truman’s chief engineer commander Daniel Rossler said: "We must work together to accomplish all the goals needed to successfully get this ship back in the fleet. The goal is to re-establish the proficiency of the ship and its training teams."
Capable of cruising at a maximum speed of over 30k, the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has a full-load displacement of 102,000t and can carry a crew of 6,000.
The Newport News Shipbuilding-built supercarriers are armed with three Raytheon GMLS mk29 eight-cell launchers for Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.
Image: USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) undergoing replenishment (UNREP) alongside USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189). Photo: US Navy photo by photographer’s mate 3rd class Christopher B Stoltz.
