HII completes acceptance trials on Richard M. McCool Jr.

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced the successful completion of acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr., the final Flight I transition ship before Ingalls moves into serial production of the LPD Flight II line. “We have had a successful trial and it is only through the efforts of our shipbuilders and our dedicated Navy and industry partners that we now move solely into the Flight II ships,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “Our team remains fully committed to delivering these important assets to the Navy-Marine Corps team.” The Ingalls’ Test and Trials team spent several days with the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey running the ship at full power and through steering maneuvers. The team will now complete final finish work on the San Antonio-class ship in preparation for delivery to the U.S. Navy in weeks ahead.