General Dynamics' Littoral Combat Ship Independence Completes Builder's Trials

[Metallic]

General Dynamics' Littoral Combat Ship Independence Completes Builder's Trials
UNITED STATES - 21 OCTOBER 2009

MOBILE, Ala. --- Independence (LCS 2), the innovative high-speed trimaran combatant ship being constructed by shipbuilder Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., as part of the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team, successfully completed a series of tests known as builder's trials on October 18 in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials included more than 50 demonstration events that rigorously test the ship and all of its systems in preparation for final inspection by the Navy before delivery.

Notable achievements during the trials included reaching a sustained speed of 44 knots during the required four-hour full-power run, with a top speed in excess of 45 knots.

Many of the test events were conducted in high sea-state and wind conditions (8-foot waves and winds in excess of 25 knots). Despite the weather, the ship repeatedly reached speeds of over 45 knots with propulsion and ride-control systems operating in full automatic mode, proving the effectiveness of the control systems and the highly efficient and stable characteristics of the trimaran hull form.

A series of high speed ahead and astern maneuvers in these sea state conditions proved the effectiveness of the ship's four steerable water jets. During the repeated high-speed turns the ship demonstrated excellent agility and stability characteristics.

The ship's flight deck remained stable despite sea state conditions and maneuvers.

The ship's open architecture computing infrastructure (called OPEN CI), a highly flexible information-technology backbone that integrates the ship's combat, damage control, engineering control, mission package and other onboard computing functions, also proved its effectiveness during the trials. The OPEN CI 'any display, anywhere' capability was extremely valuable in enabling the LCS 2 crew to electronically reconfigure the bridge area and, at long range, the Core Mission System successfully detected, engaged and eliminated a simulated cruise missile attack by a small, fast-moving jet aircraft.

In addition, the LCS 2 crew was able to access detailed performance and operation data from the bridge while the ship was operating, thereby providing them with real-time insight as to how the ship systems were performing.

Jeff Geiger, president of team-leader Bath Iron Works, was on-board for the ship's high-speed trials on October 15. He said, "Independence exceeded our expectations in terms of maneuverability, stability, handling and speed. We are very pleased to be one step closer to delivering this highly capable, versatile and lethal platform to the United States Navy."

In addition, Geiger praised the builder's trials team for a job well done: "I'm proud of this entire team of professionals, including Navy representatives from SUPSHIP, Bath and Washington, D.C., who were beside us every step of the way, for their hard work and perseverance."

Upon returning from the full-power trial, Joe Rella, president and chief operating officer of Austal USA, remarked: "The LCS did extremely well. Mobile and Alabama can be justifiably proud of their shipbuilders."

The Littoral Combat Ship is a major part of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats in the 21st century. Intended to operate in coastal areas, the ships will be fast, highly maneuverable and equipped to support mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare mission.

The ship's highly flexible OPEN CI design, developed and integrated by a General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems team, allows "plug and play" integration of both the core systems and the LCS mission modules. It meets Navy open architecture requirements, strictly adheres to published industry standards and facilitates the integration of commercially available products.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is the prime contractor for the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team. Partners include shipbuilder Austal USA (Mobile, AL); General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (Fairfax, VA); BAE Systems (Rockville, MD); L3 Communications Marine Systems (Leesburg, VA); Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (Baltimore, MD); and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (Baltimore, MD).

Bath Iron Works employs approximately 5,700 people. Since 1991, BIW has manufactured and delivered 31 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; the shipyard is also building the lead ship of the Navy's Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class of guided missile destroyers.

Austal USA's Mobile facility currently employs almost 1,000 workers and is the largest aluminum shipyard in the world. In addition to the LCS, recent projects have included construction of the largest-ever aluminum ferry in the United States. Austal is also in the pre-construction design phase on the first Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) for the U.S. Department of Defense.

U.S. Navy LCS 2 Independence demonstrates its remarkable maneuverability during builder’s trials.



Source: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

 

[applesauce]

this is one bad *** looking ship, i like it, i like it alot : )

 

[abbasniazi]

Looks like a mean machine and a really lethal weapon, any further specifications?

 

[manojb]

here is complete detail USS Independence (LCS-2) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Propulsion: 2× gas turbines, 2× diesel, 4× waterjets, retractable Azimuth thruster, 4× diesel generators

 

[Metallic]

CSC Wins $169 Million Navy Task Order to Support Littoral Combat Ship Acquisition Program
UNITED STATES - 16 NOVEMBER 2009

CSC (NYSE: CSC - News) announced today that the U.S. Navy has awarded the company a task order to support the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Office, PMS 501. The task order, which has a one-year base period and four one-year options, has an estimated total five-year value of $169 million. The task order was awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, which was originally awarded to CSC in April 2004.

Under the terms of the task order, CSC will provide program, business and financial management; systems and life cycle engineering and support; and production planning for LCS seaframes and combat systems currently under construction by Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. Services will support the LCS Program Office, PMS 501's mission to develop, build and test littoral combat ships, which are small, maneuverable surface combatants intended for operations close to shore.

"CSC is proud to deliver value to the nation and the warfighter through responsive, effective support of this critical acquisition program," said Austin Yerks, president of CSC's North American Public Sector Defense Group. "We stand ready to support the continuing transformation of the Navy's surface combatant fleet to meet the challenges of the 21st century."


Source: CSC

 

[Metallic]

LCS 2 Completes Acceptance Trials
UNITED STATES - 19 NOVEMBER 2009

WASHINGTON -- The future USS Independence (LCS 2) successfully completed acceptance trials this week, after completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

Acceptance Trials are the first opportunity for INSURV to test the ship and its systems.

During two days underway, the ship completed demonstrations of the combat systems suite, steering, anchoring and propulsion. The ship achieved a top speed of almost 45 knots during the full power demonstration.

"Independence performed extremely well during trials," said Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Manager Rear Adm. James Murdoch. "LCS 2 conducted two outstanding days at sea. We look forward to delivering this critical asset to the fleet."

The ship was presented to INSURV with high levels of completion in production and test. The official results of the trials, including the type and number of trial cards, are currently being reviewed by the Navy.

Members of the LCS 2 pre-commissioning unit were on board Independence during trials to see how their future ship will perform.

"It's going to change the way we do things, particularly in the surface force," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, Independence Blue Crew commanding officer. "This ship allows us the flexibility to complement almost all the pillars of the Maritime Strategy."

"This is a significant milestone for the surface warfare community and the Navy at large - the impact that Freedom and Independence will have on the fleet will be immediate. We are another step closer to having this important capability as part of the surface force, and I applaud the team effort - Sailor, civilian and contractor - that went into making this happen," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. Ship delivery is expected to occur next month, with the ship's commissioning Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala.

 

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U.S. Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Independence (LCS 2)
UNITED STATES - 18 DECEMBER 2009

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Independence (LCS 2) Dec. 18 during a short ceremony in Mobile, Ala. Independence is the second littoral combat ship delivered to the U.S. Navy, and the first LCS of the General Dynamics variant. LCS is a new breed of U.S. Navy warship with versatile warfighting capabilities, capable of open-ocean operation, but optimized for littoral, or coastal, missions.

"Today marks a critical milestone in the life of the LCS 2," said Rear Adm. James Murdoch, the LCS program manager in the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The Navy and our industry partners have worked diligently to deliver a much-needed capability."

Prior to delivery, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) conducted Acceptance Trials aboard LCS 2 on Nov. 13-19, and found the ship's propulsion plant, sea-keeping and self-defense performance to be "commendable," and recommended that the chief of naval operations authorize delivery of the ship following the correction or waiver of cited material deficiencies.

Between now and sail away in February 2010, the contractor will correct most of the trial cards received during trials. Any remaining cards will be corrected during scheduled post-delivery maintenance availabilities including the post-shakedown availability scheduled for completion in 2011.

Delivery is the last shipbuilding milestone before commissioning, scheduled for Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala.

The LCS class is designed from the keel up to deliver efficient capability, capacity, and flexibility to the warfighter. Independence, a high-speed aluminum trimaran, is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 417-foot Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly. These mission packages focus on three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and has delivered eight major surface ships to the fleet since the beginning of 2009. PEO Ships is working in conjunction with its industry partners to achieve steady production for all programs to increase production efficiencies and leverage cost savings. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets ¯ while balancing affordability and capability ¯ is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy and building the Navy's 313-ship force structure. PEO Ships is committed to delivering quality ships at an affordable price.


U.S. Navy USS Independence (LCS 2). Length: 127.1 meters

 

[Metallic]

General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team Delivers Independence (LCS 2) and Lays Keel for Coronado (LCS 4)
UNITED STATES - 18 DECEMBER 2009

MOBILE, Ala. – The General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team today delivered Independence (LCS 2), its innovative high-speed trimaran combatant ship, to the United States Navy. The ship was constructed by team member Austal USA in Mobile. The delivery of Independence was preceded by the keel laying of its sister ship, Coronado (LCS 4), on Thursday, December 17.

Captain Dean Krestos, USN, Commanding Officer Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Bath, Maine, officially accepted custody of Independence (LCS 2), the U.S. Navy’s first warship configured with a trimaran hull form. After signing the custody transfer documentation, Captain Krestos noted, "It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the United States Navy, to accept delivery of the LCS-2, Independence, bringing to the fleet the second ship of this exciting new class of surface combatants."

A brief ceremony was conducted at Austal USA Headquarters to commemorate the ship’s delivery. Those present included RDML James Murdoch, USN, the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program manager; CDR Curt Renshaw and CDR Mike Riley, the ship’s Blue and Gold Crew Commanding Officers; Jim Baskerville, vice president of the LCS Program for General Dynamics Bath Iron Works; Bob Browning, Austal Managing Director; Joe Rella, Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer; and other Navy and General Dynamics LCS Team representatives.

RDML Murdoch, speaking on behalf of the Navy, praised the combined efforts of the Navy / industry team in delivering LCS 2 and the characteristics of the ship itself.

Speaking for the entire General Dynamics LCS Team, Baskerville said, “Delivering Independence is a significant accomplishment for our team. Today, we provide the Navy with a new and highly capable warship equipped with extraordinary aviation features, large payload capacity and an open architecture computing environment for future missions – all contained within an extremely fast, stable and efficient trimaran hull form to support the Navy’s needs today and tomorrow. We’ve designed Independence to fight – and we’ve built it to win.”

Independence (LCS 2) will remain in Mobile, Ala., awaiting its commissioning on January 16, 2010, marking the first time a Navy ship has been commissioned in the city since 1945. After commissioning, the Navy will operate the ship in preparation for the ship’s next set of trials in the summer of 2010.

On Thursday, a brief keel laying ceremony was held in Mobile at Austal USA’s Assembly Bay 4 to record completion of the first major construction milestone for what will soon be the Navy’s second high-speed trimaran Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). In attendance were a number of Navy representatives, including RDML James Murdoch, Navy Littoral Combat Ship Program Manager, and members of the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team, including members of the Austal USA work force. The keel module, a large outfitted section of the aluminum ship’s center hull, was the centerpiece of the ceremony.

In welcoming attendees, Baskerville said, “This is a significant day for the entire GD LCS Team and our Navy counterparts in Washington, Bath and Mobile. The lessons learned during the construction of Independence are already being applied to Coronado to ensure it will be, like Independence, a highly capable and effective platform to support the Navy’s needs.”

Speaking for the Navy, RDML Murdoch noted the significant facility and efficiency improvements being made at Austal to the benefit of Coronado and future LCS ships. He also expressed high confidence and respect for the sailors that will serve and take Coronado into harm’s way.

Coronado (LCS 4) is scheduled for delivery in June 2012.

Independence and Coronado are major parts of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats in the 21st century. Intended to operate in coastal areas, the ships will be fast, highly maneuverable and equipped to support mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare mission.

The ships’ highly flexible OPEN CI design, developed and integrated by a General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems team, allows "plug and play" integration of both the core systems and the LCS mission modules. It meets Navy open architecture requirements, strictly adheres to published industry standards and facilitates the integration of commercially available products.


Source: General Dynamics

 

[Metallic]

Revolutionary Ship Readies for Commissioning
UNITED STATES - 6 JANUARY 2010

Pre-Commissioning Unit Independence (LCS 2) will be commissioned Jan. 16.

Advanced technology, unique manning, and a very recognizable tri-hull – at first glance, nearly everything about Independence's steep angles, high bridge, and aluminum construction appears to be the first of its kind. That impression continues inside, where a spacious mission module bay is reached by stairs instead of shin-banging ladders, and down below, where four water jets compliment two diesel and two gas turbine engines.

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

"The ship is large enough and flexible enough to hold just about anything you could think of in terms of coastal and littoral warfare," said Cmdr. Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "If you build modules we could carry them. That's one of the true unique things about Independence. I think we are going to expand way beyond the initial three mission sets the ship was designed to do, and of course do those extremely well."

The Sailors who will bring the ship to life on Jan. 16 are part of an innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.

"We ask every one of our Sailors to be on their game all the time, and in terms of manpower provide a great product," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew. "That team has come together, and with this great product and this great ship, we will be ready to take her and do the nation's tasking, hopefully sooner rather than later."

"Both LCS 1 and LCS 2 were designed to meet the same requirements with reduced manning," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, LCS program manager. "In the last several years, we have conducted a great deal of assessment to be sure we implement this shift without any loss of efficiency or increase in vulnerability. Manning of the ship is centered around the question of whether you have enough people to fight it."

"On other ships, Sailors from every department help in the kitchen, and the cooks do just that – they cook," said Renshaw. "On LCS, we have three cooks who can also shoot a gun, fight a fire, manage systems, and stand anti-terrorism watches. Our Sailors have a lot of skills."

"My best machine-gunner is a culinary specialist; my best emergency medical technician is an electronics technician," Riley said. "We've really brought out the best in the Sailors we have on board."

The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected to eventually reach 55 ships.

While Freedom prepares for early deployment, Independence looks forward to commissioning. The decision to commission the ship in Mobile, Ala., where construction began nearly four years ago, is testament to the incredible support the community has lent the Navy.

"By commissioning in Mobile, we are also fortunate to have many of the required resources in place to allow for detailed and efficient planning for this exciting occasion," said Renshaw.

"The city of Mobile has really made us feel welcome," Riley said. "I want to extend my gratitude for everything they have been doing and continue to do for us."

Following commissioning, Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego.

 

[Chanakyaa]

Amazing .. Looks like some Futuristic Machine...
Well, Noting is impossible with a 650 Billion Dollar Budget.

Look at This : Speed: 44 knots (51 mph; 81 km/h)

Wow !

 

[Dark Angel]

This is a killer on water ........

 

[Metallic]

USS Independence Commissioned
UNITED STATES - 16 JANUARY 2010



MOBILE, Ala. -- Nearly 500 guests braved the rain today in Mobile, Ala., to attend the commissioning of USS Independence (LCS 2).

Independence joins USS Freedom (LCS 1) in the revolutionary Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, already making its mark on the fleet.

"LCS will have the capability...to secure the littoral regions upon which communities rely on for food, transportation and for their well-being," said Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, "and to protect critical chokepoints in the global supply chain, to launch unmanned air, underwater and surface vehicles that will keep our trade at sea and our men and women ashore safe from harm."

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

"LCS is the future of our surface Navy," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This program will complement the strengths of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water threats; the flexibility, versatility, and smart design of Independence make it well suited for joint operations."

Independence is a 419-foot aluminum trimaran, the first of its design in the surface fleet. It has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons, is capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots, and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Propelled by four water jets in addition to two diesel and two gas turbine engines, the ship boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.

Independence was christened by Mrs. Doreen Scott, wife of the 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry Scott, in a ceremony in Mobile, Ala. on Oct. 4, 2008. The ship completed builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, and was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 18, 2009.

"The crews are immensely excited to reach commissioning," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew. "They have been waiting and preparing a long time to do what they are doing today."

"We are also excited to have the people who built the ship be a part of the ceremony against the great backdrop of a supportive city," said Cmdr. Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "We are extremely pleased to celebrate this occasion in Mobile."

The Sailors who brought the ship to life today are part of an innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.

"It was a pretty special honor to be named as the first boatswain's mate of the watch," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Katrina Williams. "I will be the first watch on the USS Independence, and I was chosen by my superiors, that means a lot to me. "

"This is a chance for my parents and my fiancée's parents to come and see what I'm doing, where I live, the jobs I will be doing and most important, where I will be working," said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Benjamin Standon, who welcomed 15 members of his family to the audience.

The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected to eventually reach 55 ships.

Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego.


MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 16, 2009) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead participates in the commissioning ceremony of the U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2).



MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 16, 2010) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2).



MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 16, 2010) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2).



MOBILE, Ala. (Jan. 16, 2010) The new littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2) is pier side during her commissioning ceremony. Independence is the second of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions.

 

[Metallic]

Center for Surface Combat Systems Provides Training to Support U.S. Navy's Newest Ship
UNITED STATES - 26 JANUARY 2010

PENSACOLA, Fla. --- Six years of training program development came to fruition when the second ship in the revolutionary Littoral Combat Ship class, USS Independence (LCS 2) was commissioned in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 16.

The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS), part of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), played a significant role in the ship's development by leading the LCS Program training plan that will enable the ship's crew to conduct global operations in support of the Maritime Strategy.

A 419-foot aluminum trimaran, Independence is the first of its design in the surface fleet. The ship is part of an innovative manning construct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields. Although about the same physical size as a traditional Navy frigate with a crew of 200, the Independence is staffed by a crew of only 40 Sailors that can be augmented by detachment specialists for specific missions.

"LCS is the future of our surface Navy," said Vice Adm. D. C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This program will complement the strengths of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water threats; the flexibility, versatility, and smart design of Independence make it well suited for joint operations."

"The development of LCS training to enable the ship's capabilities has truly been a cross-enterprise project," said Capt. Stephen Hampton, the second of two CSCS commanding officers to oversee the LCS training project. "Capt. Roger 'Rick' Easton, who I relieved, was the first. He and our CSCS team laid the groundwork for the new LCS training construct, definitions, requirements, and training pipelines. My challenge has been to take the foundation that Capt. Easton laid, and refine those training requirements, as well as introduce system-centric procedures that can be measured with qualification metrics, measures, and standards. It was critical to identify training systems that support a continuum across the range of required maintenance, operations, and employment skills and abilities so that our Sailors are prepared to fight and win."

To ensure LCS Sailors are well-prepared to operate their revolutionary platforms, an LCS training pipeline was developed to teach fundamental systems knowledge. The pipeline is already proving effective for the crew of USS Freedom (LCS 1), scheduled to deploy next month a full two years ahead of schedule. LCS systems training commenced for Independence's rotational blue and gold crews in 2005.

Since the inception of training, CSCS learning sites have provided operations, combat, and weapon systems training totaling more than 2,900 training days to Independence crewmembers. This equates to more than one-fourth of all the training received by Independence crewmembers.

A Train-to-Qualify (T2Q) process was defined that connects the initial LCS training model to Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS). T2Q is a new concept for the surface force that shifts qualification training from the ship to shore training, meaning that LCS Sailors report aboard ready to stand their watch and execute assigned duties.

"LCS 2 PQS is different from PQS on traditional ships, by removing subjectivity," said Hampton. "It employs Objective Measures, Metrics and Standards (OMMS) that require trainee performance to be measured against specific criteria and specific procedure. OMMS ensures that each trainee achieves a common standard that results in the LCS commanding officers and fleet leadership having confidence in the abilities of the new personnel they receive."

The LCS Shore-Based Training Facility (SBTF), a simulator operated by CSCS, is the final step in the LCS Train to Qualify process. Robert Shifflet, director of training at facility, and his team of nine instructors administer LCS Capstone Training.

"The training is unique," said Shifflet. "The simulator is designed to look and feel like an LCS ship's bridge while maneuvering at sea. It integrates synthetic radar scenarios with a corresponding video display that creates a very life-like tactical training environment for Integrated Command Center (ICC) and bridge watchstanders.

"The fully integrated training is the first of its kind in surface warfare," added Shifflet. "It is unique in that it delivers bridge and ICC coordinated command and control procedures for platform, system, and people employment."

"The LCS class training structure, training system approach, and training process, particularly the development of high fidelity SBTFs in the Fleet Concentrate Areas (FCAs) similar to that of the aviator and submarine community, is a postitive step forward for the surface force," added Hampton. "In the future, as the training matures, LCS Sailors will be ready to operate and employ LCS systems against a more realistic set of scenarios; perhaps better than any other class in surface ship history."

 

[Metallic]

USS Independence Begins Maiden Voyage
UNITED STATES - 26 MARCH 2010

MOBILE, Ala. -- The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2), sailed away from Mobile, Ala. for the first time March 26.

The milestone marks the commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel.

"We are excited to set sail, and remain grateful for the incredible support offered by the city of Mobile in helping us reach this milestone," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, Independence Blue Crew commanding officer. "This transit will allow us to gain valuable operational experience and is another large step toward bringing our unique and versatile capabilities to the fleet."

Independence's maiden voyage will include stops in Key West and Mayport, Fla., before pulling into Naval Station Norfolk, Va. for additional testing and specialized crew training.

"This is an exciting time for all of us," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Jeffry Gibson. "To be a part of bringing the Navy's newest, most advanced ship to the Fleet is something we all take a great deal of pride in."

The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including surface craft, diesel submarines and mines. LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

Independence, the Navy's second LCS ship and the first Independence Class LCS, was commissioned Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala. It spans 419 feet, has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Propelled by four water jets, along with two diesel and two gas turbine engines, Independence is capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots and boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.

 

[Metallic]

KEY WEST, Fla. (March 29, 2010) The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West. USS Independence is on the way to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. USS Independence is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including surface craft, diesel submarines and mines.