Spanish frigate heads to Norfolk for combat tests

The Spanish frigate Cristobal Colon got underway to Norfolk Sunday for a series of combat system certification tests, the Spanish navy said.

The ship left its base in Ferrol for a six-week trip to undergo combat system ship qualification trials, the sea service said.

The certification will be a milestone for the country's shipbuilding industry as well as the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate.

That class includes ships equipped with the Aegis combat system.

Trials will involve evaluation and certification of the ship's command and control, anti-air warfare and missile defense capabilities, the navy said.

The trials will culminate with the launch of Standard Missile-2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.

Those tests will take place off Virginia at Wallops Island, in conjunction with the USS Arleigh Burke, the Spanish navy said.

The frigate will return to its home port on Aug. 2.