USNS Howard O. Lorenzen (T-AGM-25)

USNS Howard O. Lorenzen (T-AGM-25) is a Missile Range Instrumentation Ship built for the US Navy by VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Mississippi. The keel was laid during a ceremony on August 13, 2008.

The ship is slated to replace the USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) once it becomes operational, and is fitted with a Cobra Judy Replacement (to be renamed as Cobra King) radar system.

Description


USNS Howard O. Lorenzen is 12642 LT, 534 ft in length, and has a beam of 89 ft. Manned by a combined crew of 88 sailors and civilian mariners, the ship will host embarked military and civilian technicians from other U.S. government agencies. It will be operated by the Military Sealift Command and conduct missions sponsored by the U.S. Air Force.

History
The ship is named for the late Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) electrical engineer who was instrumental in the creation of the electronic intelligence capabilities of the United States. It was due to be delivered in 2010.

In May 2011 it was released that the ship had failed its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection and was being sent back for repairs before the Navy would accept the ship. The ship was judged inadequate in the electrical, damage control and aviation inspections and also had problems with her anchor, steering and the temperature in her thrust bearings.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of Howard O. Lorenzen on 10 January 2012.