The US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), has commenced its first round of sea trials from Bath Iron Works.
As part of the activity, the DDG 1001 will undergo a series of trials before being officially handed over to the US Navy, reported Navaltoday.
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Bath Iron Works was quoted by The Diplomat as saying: “Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) is currently on builder’s trials, testing the hull, mechanical and engineering components of the ship.
“While all these systems are tested pierside, there is no substitute for the real world testing taking place in the Gulf of Maine.”
While construction work on the future USS Michael Monsoor began in 2010, the vessel was christened on 18 June last year.
The DDG 1001 is slated to be commissioned with the US Navy in early 2019 in Coronado, California.
Once commissioned, the vessel will operate as one of the largest destroyers and most technologically advanced surface combatants in the world.
The Zumwalt-class lead ship, the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), was commissioned into active service last year at North Locust Point in Baltimore.
Construction on the vessel started in February 2009 and was launched on 29 October 2013.
In September 2011, the US Navy awarded a $1.8bn contract to Bath Iron Works for the construction of the second and third Zumwalt-class ships, the DDG 1001 and the DDG 1002.
Named Lyndon B. Johnson, the DDG 1002 ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in February next year.
