USNS Howard O. Lorenzen Key Features and Capabilities

The USNS Howard O. Lorenzen is a remarkable ship that's packed with impressive features and capabilities. It's a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, designed to support a wide range of military operations.

With a beam of 106 feet and a draft of 13 feet, the ship is agile and versatile, making it perfect for navigating through various environments. Its length of 785 feet is substantial, allowing it to carry a significant amount of cargo and personnel.

The USNS Howard O. Lorenzen has a top speed of 43 knots, making it one of the fastest ships of its class. Its advanced propulsion system, powered by four Colt-Pielstick diesel engines, enables it to reach high speeds with ease.

The ship's cargo capacity is impressive, with a total of 1,000 linear feet of cargo space available for use. This allows it to transport a wide range of equipment, supplies, and vehicles, making it an invaluable asset to military operations.

The USNS Howard O. Lorenzen's propulsion system is powered by four MaK 12 M 32 C diesel electric propulsion engines supplied by Caterpillar Marine Systems.

Each of these engines has a rated capacity of 5.5MW and weighs a significant 84.8 tons.

The propulsion system allows the ship to reach a speed of 20 knots, which is impressive for a vessel of its size and purpose.

In the event of an emergency, the ship's Caterpillar C32 diesel generator will kick in to provide backup power.

The radar system on the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen is quite impressive. It features a dual band Cobra Judy Replacement radar system integrating the X- and S-band antennas, a common radar suit controller, and other ancillary equipment.

The X and S-band active arrays weigh a whopping 500,000lbs each. These massive arrays are capable of providing high-quality, high-resolution, and multi-wavelength radar intelligence data.

The X-band radar is designed to collect data from several objects from different targets. It's a really useful tool for gathering information.

The S-band radar, on the other hand, is used for collecting data from specific objects of importance. This targeted approach is really efficient.

The development of the CJR system was a major project, with a $1.4bn contract awarded to Raytheon in December 2003. This was a significant investment.

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, and Kiewit Offshore Services (KOS) were also involved in the project. It's impressive to see so many companies working together.

The X and S-band antennas were installed by October 2011. They're currently undergoing integrated testing, which is an important step in ensuring their performance.

The T-AGM-25 is powered by a robust propulsion system that provides a top speed of 20kt.

This speed is made possible by four MaK 12 M 32 C diesel electric propulsion engines supplied by Caterpillar Marine Systems.

Each engine has a significant capacity of 5.5MW and a substantial weight of 84.8t.

In case of an emergency, the ship is equipped with a Caterpillar C32 diesel generator that can be used as a backup.

The USNS Howard O. Lorenzen successfully completed its final contract trials off the San Diego coast.

The ship's crew demonstrated professionalism and dedication throughout the trials, as assessed by INSURV officials. Captain Patrick Christian, the ship's master, prepared his crew thoroughly to ensure the highest level of material readiness.

The trials included both in-port and at-sea testing, and the ship's systems were verified as part of the process.

The Howard O. Lorenzen was due to be delivered in 2010, but its delivery was delayed due to a failed inspection.

The ship's initial inspection in May 2011 revealed a range of problems, including electrical, damage control, and aviation issues.

It wasn't until January 10, 2012, that the US Navy finally accepted the ship after it had undergone repairs.

The final contract trials were completed on December 5, 2013, marking a significant milestone in the ship's development.

The US Air Force was expected to take over operational and sustainment responsibilities for the ship in 2014, with the goal of enhancing missile defense capabilities.

The Howard O. Lorenzen and its Cobra King radar system were declared operational in August 2014, replacing the USNS Observation Island.

The US Navy's USNS Howard O Lorenzen successfully completed its final contract trials off the San Diego coast. This significant milestone was achieved after thorough testing of the ship's systems, including in-port and at-sea testing.

The ship's crew demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication during the trials, which lasted for many weeks. Captain Patrick Christian, the ship's master, played a crucial role in preparing his crew for the trials, ensuring they were fully ready.

The Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) Cobra Judy Replacement (CJR) major programme manager, Captain Roderick Wester, praised the crew's hard work and dedication. Captain Wester acknowledged that the crew's efforts were instrumental in the successful completion of the final contract trials.