The United States Navy has christened the auxiliary general oceanographic research vessel (AGOR) 'Neil Armstrong' during a ceremony in Anacortes, Washington, in late March.
The 73-metre x 15-metre vessel will be the first of a Neil Armstrong-class of research vessels.
Based on a commercial design, the vessel class will be capable of integrated interdisciplinary general-purpose oceanographic research in coastal and deep ocean areas. USA-based shipbuilder Dakota Creek Industries constructed the vessel.
The Neil Armstrong class will also feature a modern suite of oceanographic equipment, advanced acoustic equipment capable of mapping the deepest parts of the oceans, advanced over-the-side handling gear to deploy and retrieve scientific instruments, emissions controls for stack gasses, and new information technology tools both for monitoring shipboard systems and for communicating with land-based sites worldwide.
The US Navy currently owns six of the nation's largest oceanographic research ships. These vessels support naval research in forward-deployed areas of the world's oceans, as well as the needs of other federal agencies.
According to the US Navy, a major segment of its research fleet is now approaching the end of service life and is in need of replacement.
The 'Neil Armstrong' will be US-flagged, manned by a commercial crew, and will be operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution under a contract with the US government.
