Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) has left Newport News Shipbuilding on sea trials on Tuesday ahead of the official completion of its refueling and midlife overhaul, according to a Huntington Ingalls Industries.
The “several days” of trials are among the last steps the carrier will undergo before returning to the fleet after the four-year maintenance availability, a spokesperson told USNI News.
“Sea trials will provide an opportunity to test comprehensive shipwide repairs and combat system modernization items worked over the duration of the overhaul,” read a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command.
HII published a picture of Lincoln leaving its berth at the shipyard on Tuesday morning.
The @aircraftcarrier Lincoln @CVN_72 is heading out for sea trials after a successful refueling and complex overhaul. #RCOH pic.twitter.com/kqpewsIyRI
— Huntington Ingalls (@HIIndustries) May 9, 2017
The crew of the carrier – who have been aboard since last year – completed a pier-side “fast cruise,” last week in perpetration for the sea trials.
“The fast cruise was Lincoln’s last training simulation before departing Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. The purpose of the fast cruise was to have the full focus of Lincoln’s crew on training, drills and ship-wide evolutions designed to allow Lincoln and her crew to build the confidence and proficiency to return to sea,” read a statement from the service.
“Since February, the crew has been simulating various underway emergency scenarios to include general quarters, man overboard, abandon ship, propulsion plant casualty drills and fire drills all focused on ensuring Lincoln sailors are performing as an operational team before returning to the fleet.”
Following Lincoln’s departure from Newport News, carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is set to enter the dry-dock portion of its availability in August, according to a March announcement from the service.
“Our team has worked hard to get USS Abraham Lincoln ready to re-deliver to the fleet. She has undergone significant combat systems modernization and will also be the first CVN capable of accommodating the F-35C Lightning II,” said Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers in a statement.
The following is the May 9, 2017 statement from NAVSEA.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) underway for sea trials following completion of refueling complex overhaul
From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) got underway from Newport News, Virginia, May 9, departing for sea trials after completing a 49.5-month refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).
Sea trials will provide an opportunity to test comprehensive shipwide repairs and combat system modernization items worked over the duration of the overhaul.
Over the next several days, CVN 72 Sailors, shipbuilders from Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS), the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair and Naval Sea Systems Command personnel will be working side-by-side testing many of the ship’s key systems and technologies.
“Our team has worked hard to get USS Abraham Lincoln ready to re-deliver to the fleet. She has undergone significant combat systems modernization and will also be the first CVN capable of accommodating the F-35C Lightning II,” said Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. “This RCOH enables the ship to meet future missions and continued service life requirements for many years to come.”