BATH — The Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be departing Bath Iron Works to go out for sea trials next week, according to a report from Defense News.

The vessel is the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyer program, while two other destroyers are also in the process of being built at the Bath shipyard, including the Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) and Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002).

The ship is named for Adm. Elmo “Bud” Russell Zumwalt Jr., who had served in U.S. Navy for 35 years, during which he also served in three wars.

“DDG 1000 is expected to go to sea for the first time in December to undergo a rigorous series of trials,” said Matthew Leonard, public affairs specialist of the Naval Sea Systems Command, on Tuesday. “This first set of sea trials will demonstrate many of the ship’s major hull, mechanical and electrical systems during the multi-day underway period.”

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley told Defense News that the sea trials could begin as soon as Monday, Dec. 7.

In October, the destroyer had undergone a four-day “fast cruise” to test the crew and key systems in preparation for this month’s sea trials, according to a bulletin issued by BIW.

Another shorter, fast cruise was set last month to “emphasize bridge control and interactions, validate specific watch transitions, run additional casualty events and complete additional test scenarios,” the release said.

“Navy officials were extremely pleased with the first fast cruise and stated confidence that the ship is very close to being ready to be underway,” Steve Colfer, BIW director of test and trials, said in the bulletin.

Next week, the ship will be operated by BIW with representatives from BIW, PCU Zumwalt, the Navy’s DDG 1000 program office, SUPSHIP Bath and other technical subject matter experts onboard, said Leonard.

“This underway period will allow for earlier testing, issue identification and risk mitigation,” he said.

During the trials, the Zumwalt will head to Portland to rotate out engineers, according to Defense News. The ship will return to BIW before it leaves for its home port in San Diego, which is where the ship’s mission systems — combat systems, radars and other sensors — will be completed on the ship.

“The men and women of BIW have been working hard on the final phase of our test and activation on DDG 1000, the lead ship of the Zumwalt class, and we’re all looking forward to sea trials,” said BIW spokesman Matt Wickenheiser. “We anticipate we’ll learn a lot as BIW employees put the ship through its paces at sea, as we always do with a new ship — particularly so with a lead ship.”

dkim@timesrecord.com

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