USS Rafael Peralta commences Aegis testing

The U.S. Navy’s future DDG 51 destroyer, USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) started its Aegis Combat System testing at the Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard, December 17.

The Aegis system light off marks the beginning of combat system testing for the ship. These tests will ensure all combat system equipment is operational and communicative.

The U.S. Navy said the Rafael Peralta will be equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat System, which includes an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability, incorporating Ballistic Missile Defense 5.0 Capability Upgrade (BMD 5.0CU) and Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA).

USS Rafael Peralta was laid down in October 2014, and exactly a year later, the ship was christened by the U.S. Navy at the General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works shipyards.

Captain Mark Vandroff, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, said: “This is the first BIW DDG 51 restart destroyer to achieve Aegis light off, and we’re excited to provide the fleet with another DDG 51 equipped with enhanced IAMD warfighting capabilities.”

According to the U.S Navy, the Aegis Baseline 9 IAMD destroyers have increased computing power, along with radar upgrades that improve detection and reaction capabilities against modern air warfare and BMD threats.

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