Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division
announced that the company’s sixth U.S. Coast Guard National Security
Cutter (NSC), Munro (WMSL 755), has successfully completed acceptance
trials. Munro spent two full days in the Gulf of Mexico proving the
ship’s systems.
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“Once
again Ingalls shipbuilders have shown the benefits of a hot production
line,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “Munro
is the sixth NSC we have built for the United States Coast Guard, and
the ship accomplished a successful sea trial. Our shipbuilders are proud
to provide the United States Coast Guard with the most technologically
advanced ships that help keep Coast Guard men and women safe as they
defend our shores.”
The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) were on
board, as Ingalls’ test and trials team led the sea trials and
conducted extensive testing of the propulsion, electrical, damage control,
anchor-handling, small boat operations and combat systems. The team
finished the trial with a completed full-power propulsion run on Munro.
“In three years’ time, our shipbuilders have transformed
steel, cables, pipe and raw materials into a highly capable, state-of-the-art
National Security Cutter that will protect the men and women of the
United States Coast Guard,” said Derek Murphy, Ingalls’
Coast Guard program manager. “Our shipbuilders continue to raise
the standard of fit and finish and quality of each ship.”
Ingalls has delivered the first five NSCs and has three more under construction,
including Munro (WMSL 755), set to deliver before the end of the year.
Kimball (WMSL 756) is scheduled for delivery in 2018, and Midgett (WMSL
757) in 2019.
Munro is named to honor Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro, the
Coast Guard’s sole recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was mortally
wounded on Sept. 27, 1942, while evacuating a detachment of Marines
on Guadalcanal.
Legend-Class National Security Cutters are the flagships of the U.S.
Coast Guard. They are the most technologically advanced ships in the
Coast Guard’s fleet, with capabilities for maritime homeland security,
law enforcement and national security missions. NSCs are 418 feet long
with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have
a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60
days and a crew of 120. The Legend class of cutters plays an important
role in enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity
and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never
been greater. |