The first National Security Cutter (NSC), CGC Bertholf (WMSL 750), returned to Northrop Grumman [NOC] Ship Systems’ Pascagoula facility Sunday after completing machinery trials, the company said yesterday.

The machinery trials, which began Dec. 4, were an initial test of many of the ship’s capabilities at sea. Among the tests completed, Bertholf successfully met its contractually-required speed of 28 knots, according to Northrop Grumman.

Several of the ship’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems completed initial tests during last week’s trials including the surface search radars, air search radar, and the AIS. The team also achieved TACAN certification during the trials.

Bertholf is the first of eight planned ships in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters being acquired under the Deepwater Program. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems is building the NSCs, while Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the C4ISR capabilities onboard the cutters.

The NSC will complete two additional sets of trials, including builder’s trials, which are scheduled for early 2008. Bertholf is scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard following Acceptance Trials in spring 2008, according to Northrop Grumman.

“This is a huge milestone for both the program and for the whole Coast Guard,” said Capt. Patrick Stadt, prospective commanding officer, USCGC Bertholf. “This is the future of the Coast Guard and the start of the next 40 years of the surface fleet.”

NSC-2, the USCGC Waesche, is under construction at Northrop Grumman’s Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula.