The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Navy:
(PASCAGOULA, Miss.) — USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) completed acceptance trials Nov. 6 following a week of extensive ship tests and underway events.
The T-AGS 66 acceptance trials, the final evaluation of the ship prior to delivery, included testing of major propulsion, auxiliary, damage control and deck systems.
"As a result of dedicated effort and preparation, T-AGS 66 performed very well at acceptance trials this week," said Mike Kosar, the support ships, boats, and craft program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The Navy-industry team worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event and we're very proud of the ship's performance."
Designed to perform acoustic, biological, physical, and geophysical surveys, T-AGS 66 will provide the U.S. military with essential information on the ocean environment. The vessel is 353 feet in length, with an overall beam of 58 feet. USNS Maury is 24 feet longer than the previous T-AGS design, which accommodates a moon pool for deployment and retrieval of autonomous underwater vehicles.
T-AGS 66 is named in honor of Cmdr. Matthew Fontaine Maury, nicknamed "Pathfinder of the Seas," and also known as the "Father of Modern Oceanography." Scheduled for delivery in early 2016, USNS Maury will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.
As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.
For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.
