Huntington Ingalls Industries’ [HII] Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) finished a successful set of initial sea trials for the latest Virginia-class attack submarine, the future USS Indiana (SSN-789), the company said on Friday.

These trials are called alpha trials and test all components and systems. During the test, the submarine submerged for the first time and conducted high-speed maneuvers both on the surface and while submerged.

The future USS Indiana (SSN-789) conducts sea trials with shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. (Screenshot of video: HII)
The future USS Indiana (SSN-789) conducts sea trials with shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. (Screenshot of video: HII)

“Sea trials is a significant milestone and the first major test of submarine’s capabilities at sea.We are pleased with how Indiana performed and look forward to continuing our testing program before we deliver the boat to the U.S. Navy later this year,” Dave Bolcar, NNS’ vice president for submarine construction, said in a statement.

HII began building SSN-789 in 2012. The Indiana is the 16th Virginia-class submarine and sixth Block III vessel built in a teaming partnership with General Dynamics’ [GD] Electric Boat division.

SSN-789 was christened in April 2017 and launched into the James River at the NNS facility last June (Defense Daily, June 9, 2017).

The Indiana is set to be commissioned later this year in Florida.