PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2021) – Sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) completed the ship’s first-ever Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) earlier this month.
CSSQT is a major milestone where teams demonstrate the ship’s weapons systems’ ability to effectively communicate and destroy incoming threats in an operational environment.
“This test is designed to go through all of the things that form the backbone and execution of combat systems,” said Lt. Cmdr. Paul Gillett, Tripoli’s command, control, communications computers, combat systems and interoperability (C5I) officer. “This was just one of several at-sea periods where the team not only had to practice, but execute complex events. This was a huge win for the crew because they got to see all of that hard work come to fruition.”
“I can’t say enough about how pleased we are with Tripoli’s performance during the Post Delivery test and trials phase, and their recent successful completion of the Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials is just another step in the right direction towards fleet introduction for this ship,” said Capt. Cedric McNeal, Program Manager, Amphibious Warfare Programs, Program Executive Office, Ships. “This is just one of many milestones that LHA 7 has met on the path to becoming a command and control center of capability for Amphibious Ready Groups in the future fight.”
During the qualification phases, the team conducted multiple trials to validate the ship’s self-defense systems’ performance, including ship’s radars tests, and operating the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), NATO Sea Sparrow, and Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) weapons systems. “I have been doing this for 26 years,” said Master Chief Fire Controlman James Bush, Tripoli’s combat systems maintenance manager. “They’ve been going above and beyond anything that I can expect. I couldn’t be any happier with the fire controlmen that I have on board Tripoli.”
With CSSQT trials now complete, Tripoli will focus on additional certifications and qualifications that will ensure it is a combat ready and lethal asset to the Navy.
“The crew continues to demonstrate time and time again that Assault Carrier 7 is versatile, capable and lethal,” said USS Tripoli Commanding Officer Capt. Joel Lang. “The precision at which we performed during CSSQT speaks volumes to the capabilities of this crew and superb warship.”
USS Tripoli is the Navy’s newest America-class amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego. The ship is assigned to Amphibious Squadron 7.
For more information visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lha7/.