By Emelie Rutherford
The technically-challenged USS San Antonio, the first of the new LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ships, will not deploy next summer as scheduled, the Navy said last week.
Since Northrop Grumman [NOC] delivered the ship in August 2005, it has suffered problems including the discovery of metal shavings in its diesel engines.
Fleet Forces Command announced last Thursday that the USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) will replace the San Antonio (LPD-17) next summer, and deploy as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, so the Navy can continue engine repairs on the lead ship.
“The inherent flexibility of our naval forces allows us to realign schedules in order to meet operational requirements,” said Adm. John Harvey, commander of Fleet Forces Command.
The Mesa Verde was previously scheduled to deploy in late 2012. The change to the ship’s deployment date will not impact planned maintenance work or training schedules as it completes work-ups for the summer deployment, Fleet Forces Command said.
The command said it “continues to work closely with Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command to ensure that USS San Antonio returns to the fleet as a fully operational and deployable platform, and that the Navy has given her crew the proper tools and training necessary to use San Antonio to its fullest capability.”
The lead ship is scheduled to undergo comprehensive crew certification and sea trials in the early spring of 2011.
“San Antonio will deploy when it is operationally sound and ready to go,” Harvey said.
Mesa Verde returned from deployment in August.