Destroyer Truxtun (DDG 103) Completes Successful Builder's Trial

PASCAGOULA: The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built Aegis guided missile destroyer Truxtun (DDG 103) moved one step closer to completion by successfully performing two days of builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico last week.

The ship, under construction at the company's Shipbuilding sector here, is the 25th ship in the DDG-51 class of destroyers being built by Northrop Grumman. Truxtun will now prepare for U.S. Navy acceptance trials later this month.

“DDG 103 is magnificent,'' said U.S. Navy Capt. Beth Dexter, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast. “She needs some polish -- but make no mistake -- I'd have no hesitation in taking this one to the fight!''

This highly capable multi-mission ship can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, all in support of the United States' military strategy. Truxtun will be capable of simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface battles. The ship contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century.

“The Gulf Coast team should be rightfully proud of Truxtun's fine performance during trials,'' said Richard Schenk, vice president of test and trials for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast. “The testing of her systems validated our shipbuilders' ability to construct a fine product.''

The builder's sea trial demonstrates Northrop Grumman's means of testing the various new systems on DDG 103 prior to the acceptance trial, scheduled for the week of Sept. 29. All major hull, mechanical and electrical systems were tested during the trial as well as the Aegis Combat System, the U.S. Navy's most technologically advanced combat system.

“The Navy needs the best and we deliver,'' said George Nungesser, DDG 51 program manager for Northrop Grumman. “DDG 103 performed with no major problems on builder's trial. Everybody on the Northrop Grumman team pulled together to make the trials and construction of this ship a success.''

U.S. Navy Commander Timothy R. Weber, a native of Decatur, Georgia and 1990 graduate of Vanderbilt University, is the ship's first commanding officer and will lead a crew of 276 officers and sailors. The 510-foot, 9,200-ton Truxtun has an overall beam of 66.5 feet and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas-turbine propulsion plants will power the ship to speeds above 30 knots.

The ship is named for Commodore Thomas Truxtun (Feb. 17, 1755 - May 5, 1822), captain of the first U.S. Naval ship, USS Constellation. Truxtun began his career as a privateer during the American Revolution. Appointed captain by George Washington in 1794, he was responsible for the first capture of an enemy vessel, the French frigate L'Insurgente, during the Quasi-War with France in 1799.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.