Explosions in ocean help prepare Navy ships for combat

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Navy said it wasn’t an earthquake off Florida’s coast, but a blast from a 10,000-pound bomb.

The explosions are called shock trials, a test to make sure Navy ships are combat ready.

The shock trials are being done on the USS Jackson right now.

Al Landon spent 26 years in the Navy and served in Vietnam. He said shock trials have to be done.

"They have to. You can't just build something and think it's going to work. You have to try it from time to time,” Landon said.

It is typically done in a series of three tests, each one getting progressively closer to the ship, according to the Navy.

"You can feel the shockwave a little, but that's about all,” Landon said.

The Navy said it probably could've done a better job letting the U.S. Geological Survey know it was happening, but it said it did take plenty of precautions.

The Navy said it worked with environmental agencies to make sure no wildlife was harmed.

The USS Milwaukee will have the same shock trials off our coast in August.

A Statement was released by Dale Eng, public affairs specialist, Naval Sea Systems Command:

"In June the Navy began conducting Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST) for Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) off the coast of Florida. The purpose of FSST is to validate the operational survivability of new construction ships after exposure to underwater shock.  Three tests were scheduled for the ship and each test was conducted with a 10,000-pound explosive charge.

"On Saturday July 16, USS Jackson (LCS 6) was subjected to the third and most forceful underwater explosion of her planned shock trials. The ship performed exceptionally well, sustaining minimal damage and returned to port on her own power the following day to complete assessments. This Live Fire Test and Evaluation event is conducted as a way to validate the shock hardness of the integrated ship system design, assess performance, and identify areas for improvement.

"The Navy ensures an exclusion zone is established around the test location.  A Notice to Mariners (NOTAM) is released before each shot stating that hazardous conditions to surface vessels may be present and for vessels not involved in the test to remain clear. 

"The Navy is preparing to conduct FSST on USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) later this summer.
         
"The last FSST was conducted in 2008 for USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). It was also conducted off the coast of Florida."

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