USCGC Munro finishes builder's sea trials

USCGC Munro, the sixth Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) for the US Coast Guard (USCG), has successfully completed builder's sea trials, HII announced on 9 August.

The trials took place over three days in the Gulf of Mexico. The division's test and trials team performed extensive testing of the combat, electrical and propulsion systems on-board, along with small boat operations, anchor handling and damage control. The tests culminated in a successful four-hour full-power propulsion run.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered the first five NSCs, and has three under construction including the USCGC Munro, set to deliver in the final quarter of 2016. The seventh NSC, USCGC Kimball, is set to be delivered in 2018, followed by USCGC Midgett in 2019.

The NSCs are replacing the Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters in service since the 1960s. They are 418ft long, with 54ft beam and a displacement of 4,500 tons with a full load. They can reach a top speed of 28 knots, with a range of 12,000 miles and endurance of 60 days.

The Legend class can perform missions related to marine safety, maritime homeland security, law enforcement, national defence missions and environmental protection.