US Navy Successfully Tests Missile-Range Instrumentation Vessel

The US Navy has successfully conducted final contract trials of missile range instrumentation ship USNS Howard O Lorenzen off the San Diego coast.

During the trials, the vessel validated its systems including main propulsion, damage control, supply, deck, navigation, habitability, electrical systems and operations.

The Navy officials also verified the ship's systems, including both in-port and at-sea testing as part of the trials.

Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) Cobra Judy Replacement (CJR) major programme manager, captain Roderick Wester said the ship's master, captain Patrick Christian, prepared his crew thoroughly and ensured the highest level of material readiness for Howard O Lorenzen.

"The crew demonstrated their professionalism and dedication throughout many weeks of hard work to ensure the successful completion of the final contract trials, as assessed by INSURV," Wester said.

The VT Halter Marine-constructed T-AGM 25, with design and construction managed by PEO Ships, and its Cobra Judy Replacement (CJR) radar system will replace the USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23), which was launched in 1953.

Once the ship reaches initial operational capability in 2014, the Navy will transfer the vessel to the US Air Force for operations and maintenance.

The civilian mariners will operate the ship while an Air Force operations and maintenance crew will operate the mission radars.

The CJR will offer worldwide, high-quality, dual-band radar data to support ballistic missile treaty verification.