SAN DIEGO, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A new U.S. guided missile destroyer completed sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and is ready for delivery to the Navy, probably in March, officials say.

The William P. Lawrence will be based in San Diego beginning later this year, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday.

"Throughout the three days under way, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey tested several ship components, including the communications and propulsion systems," the Navy said in a statement.

"A full-power run was conducted successfully and the communications suite performed exceptionally well, fully supporting all sea trial events."

The ship, named for Adm. William P. Lawrence, a decorated Navy pilot in Vietnam who served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1978 to1981, was built by Northrop Grumman in Mississippi.

"Overall, William E. Lawrence exhibited significant improvements in the level of completion, final finish and performance compared to previous ships of the class," the Navy said.