
The USS North Dakota (SSN-784), the 11th and latest of the Virginia-class (SSN-774) attack submarines, has returned after completing its first voyage in open seas to conduct sea trials, contractor General Dynamics [GD] Electric Boat said Wednesday. The alpha sea trials consisted of propulsion-plant operations, submerging for the first time, and high-speed runs on and below the surface to demonstrate that the ship's propulsion plant is ready. "The crew and shipbuilders worked together as one unit to take this submarine…