Future USS Paul Ignatius Successfully Completes Acceptance Trials

PASCOGOULA, Miss — The future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) successfully completed acceptance trials on Dec. 20, returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII’s) Pascagoula shipyard after spending two days at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, Naval Sea Systems Command said in a Dec. 21 release.

During acceptance trials, the ship and its crew performed a series of demonstrations for review by the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). These demonstrations are used by INSURV to validate the quality of construction and compliance with Navy specifications and requirements prior to delivery of the ship to the U.S. Navy.

“The ship performed very well, which is a testament to the preparation and commitment of the Navy-shipbuilder team,” said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. “The ship also previously performed a successful SM-2 shoot during builder’s trials, further demonstrating the readiness of the ship’s Aegis weapon system and ship’s force. These trials put the ship on a solid path towards delivery to the Navy.”

The DDG 51-class ships currently being constructed are Aegis Baseline 9 Integrated Air and Missile Defense destroyers with increased computing power and radar upgrades that improve detection and reaction capabilities against modern air warfare and ballistic missile defense threats. When operational, DDG 117 and its sister ships will serve as integral assets in global maritime security.

The future USS Paul Ignatius is expected to be delivered to the Navy early next year. HII’s Pascagoula shipyard is also currently in production on the future destroyers Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Frank E. Peterson Jr. (DDG 121), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) and Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first Flight III ship. HII was recently awarded a contract for the design and construction of six additional DDG 51 class Flight III ships.

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