NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - 17 December 1998 - NWS17dec-3. PCU Porter completes sea trials by PCU Porter Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NWS) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit Porter (DDG 78) recently completed shipbuilders trials in the Gulf of Mexico. During a short underway period, the Navy’s newest Aegis guided missile destroyer completed an aggressive schedule of equipment tests and weapons firing demonstrations designed to prove the ships material readiness for sea. The Porter team of Ingalls Shipbuilding personnel and Porter Sailors demonstrated a variety of engineering tests and successfully fired ordnance from all surface and air weapon systems including a Standard missile fired against an inbound remote- controlled drone launched from Tyndall Air Force base in Florida. Among the highlights of the underway demonstration was the performance of Fire Controlman 3rd Class Michelle Lowe, who stood watch at the missile systems supervisor console and pushed the button to launch the Standard missile. “I have been preparing for this moment ever since I checked aboard and everything went off without a hitch,” said Lowe. “The team here successfully fired the missile and achieved a direct hit on the target.” Porter will be commissioned March 10, 1999 at Port Canaveral, Fla., and assigned to Naval Station Norfolk. -USN-