Gettysburg Returns to Sea

Although the underway for sea trials lasted merely one day, Gettysburg Sailors accomplished many important tests of newly installed and recently updated systems.

In addition to the various engineering checks, Gettysburg performed complex evaluations of its new Close In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B and its Spy 1B three-dimensional, air-search radar.

To achieve a thoroughly accurate assessment of the systems, Gettysburg was assisted by a contracted LearJet.

With precise coordination, Gettysburg vectored the aircraft to do multiple low-altitude, high-speed approaches, simulating a hostile aircraft with intentions to crash into the ship.

The CIWS embedded radar acquired the jet and tracked it as the Lear continued closer to the ship. For some, this might have appeared to be simply an air show, but in reality, Gettysburg's Combat Informa-tion Center (CIC) team was testing the CIWS's ability to defend the ship against inbound threats.

Afterwards, the CIC team shifted its focus to Gettysburg's Spy 1B three-dimensional, air-search radar. Verifying the radar's capabilities and limitations, they tracked the aircraft at long and short ranges and high and low altitudes.

While many concentrated on the CIWS and Spy 1B radar, Gettysburg's Navigation team simultaneously worked with its new A/N SPS-73 surface-search radar, which replaced the A/N SPS-55 as Gettysburg's primary navigation radar system.

The new SPS-73 system enhances Gettysburg's ability acquire surface contacts and provides greater tools to assist with navigational decision-making.

By sunset when Gettysburg sent over all lines and moored pierside, the officers and crew had completed a very busy, yet very successful, day. In the midst of the myriad tests conducted, for many, the most important test was that of the proverbial ''sea-legs.''

From all accounts, and with respect to all systems tested, Gettysburg is again ready to go forward and answer the call to duty, whenever it may come.