To mark the successful builder’s sea trials of the America (LHA 6), Huntington Ingalls Industries has released a video showcasing the America sailing the Gulf of Mexico. The America, constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss, will become the U.S. Navy‘s newest amphibious assault ship. The builder’s sea trials for the America were conducted Nov. 7-9 and saw the completion of more than 200 test events. “It’s an awesome feeling riding this ship, knowing the hard work that took place to get her ready for sea trials,” said George Jones, Ingalls’ LHA 6 program manager. While America looks nearly identical to her near sister, Makin Island (LHD 8), the early portion of the video, showing the ship from astern, illustrates the chief difference – the lack of a well deck. During the sea trials, America operated her gas turbine/electric-powered propulsion system. Other tests involved anchor handling, flight operations, and combat systems’ evaluations. The next step for the America will be acceptance sea trials slated for January.