US Navy destroyer Harvey C. Barnum Jr. completes initial sea trials

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has completed conducting the initial sea trials of the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

The ship honours Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., a US Marine Corps officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.

The now-retired Colonel Barnum was also on board the destroyer bearing his name as it underwent the initial trials earlier this month. The ship will continue its series of sea trials in advance of delivery to the navy within this year.

The destroyer has been built as an Arleigh Burke-class flight IIA ship equipped with improved integrated air and missile defence capabilities, increased computing power, and radar upgrades that improve detection range and reaction time against modern air warfare and ballistic missile threats.

The 513-foot (156-metre) destroyer is powered by four GE LM2500 gas turbines that deliver a speed of 31 knots.

Armament will include a 127mm naval gun, 25mm autocannons, a 20mm close-in weapon system, torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles, and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.