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General Dynamics Electric Boat has completed the first rounds of sea trials for the U.S. Navy‘s Virginia-class North Dakota Block III submarine ahead of a scheduled delivery by the end of August, Defense News reported Monday.
Christopher Cavas reports that the North Dakota passed Alpha trials to evaluate its submergence, speed and propulsion status.
North Dakota is undergoing a series of Beta trials to examine its combat and auxiliary systems and ship control.
Capt. Dave Goggins, a program manager at the Naval Sea Systems Command, said the redesign work was centered on the vessel’s bow, with Virginia Payload Tubes and a Large Aperture Bow array fitted to replace previous components.
Goggins said construction of the North Dakota is scheduled to be completed within a 66-month timeline and will be followed by construction of the John Warner submarine within a 60-month period for a contract delivery date of August 2015.
North Dakota, the first of eight Block III submarines that will be built, is scheduled for commissioning on Oct. 25, the report said.
