The future USS Fort Lauderdale, the US Navy's 12th San Antonio-class landing platform dock (LPD), concluded its builder's sea trials on Tuesday, October 26.
The trials consisted of a series of in-port and at-sea demonstrations conducted over a span of eight days in the Gulf of Mexico to allow the navy and shipbuilder Ingalls Shipbuilding to assess the vessel's systems and readiness prior to acceptance trials and delivery.
As with other San Antonio-class LPDs, the future Fort Lauderdale will support embarking, transporting, and landing US Marine Corps ground combat elements and their equipment by conventional or air-cushioned landing craft. The ship's capabilities are further enhanced by its flight deck and hangar, enabling the operation of a variety of helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.
The ship will also be capable of supporting special operations missions and disaster relief efforts.
