Article Posted on : - Oct 25, 2011

US Navy LCS. A Lockheed photo

MARINETTE (BNS): The third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 3) of the US has successfully completed builder's sea trials as the Navy prepares to induct the warship in its fleet by 2012.

The trials were conducted by the US Navy and Lockheed Martin team in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. They included operational testing of the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and mission systems, as well as all support systems.

The rigorous trial period included maneouverability tests; high-speed runs; power and navigation system checks; rescue boat launch and recovery; and tracking exercises, as well as other ship and system evaluations, Lockheed, the builder of the warship, said.

The vessel, named Fort Worth, now prepares for Navy Acceptance Trials as it is scheduled to be delivered next year and will be harboured in San Diego, California.

Forth Worth is the second Freedom series of ships being built by Lockheed for the US Navy. The Navy had christened the 389-foot warship in December 2010.

The LCS is envisioned to be a versatile, networked, agile, surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals.

It will serve to enhance maritime security by deterring hostility in troubled waters, maintaining a forward presence and by its ability to project power and maintain sea control.

The US Navy intends to procure a total of 55 Littoral Combat Ships for multi-mission support.