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

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 2, 2010) The Littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) approaches Mayport, Fla. USS Independence is in the Atlantic Ocean on her maiden underway.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 2, 2010) The Littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) approaches Mayport, Fla. USS Independence is in the Atlantic Ocean on her maiden underway.

MAYPORT, Fla. (April 02, 2010) The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2), approaches Naval Station Mayport for a port call. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego.

 

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KEY WEST, Fla. (March 29, 2010) Electronic Technician 1st Class Michael Neville raises the American Flag as the U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) pulls pier side in Key West, Fla. USS Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego.

KEY WEST, Fla. (March 31, 2010) The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) is pier side during a port visit to Key West, Fla. USS Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before transiting to its homeport in San Diego.

MAYPORT, Fla. (April 02, 2010) The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2), approaches Naval Station Mayport for a port call. USS Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego.

MAYPORT, Fla. (April 6, 2010) Sailors and civilian personnel aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) hoist a training round into the Sea Rolling Air Frame Missile (SEARAM) launcher. USS Independence is the first vessel in the U.S. Fleet to carry the SEARAM weapon system.

 

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USS Independence Trains Crew to Handle Aircraft
UNITED STATES - 12 APRIL 2010

MAYPORT, Fla. -- Sailors aboard USS Independence (LCS 2), the U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship, prepared to embark aircraft aboard the ship by conducting simulated training April 6 and 7 in a variety of situations involving aircraft operations, while in port at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

The training, led by a staff of training personnel from the Littoral Combat Ship Squadron (LCSRON), brings both rotational crews aboard Independence a step closer to earning their certification to conduct aviation operations at sea.

"This training is about ensuring that the crew is proficient in all the procedures involved in handling aircraft aboard a ship," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (handling) Marcus Aguirre of LCSRON. "We are here to assist the crew and ensure they are prepared to get it right when it counts."

The training simulated routine aircraft operations such as helicopter launch, landing and refueling. The crew also practiced responding to circumstances as extreme as removing personnel from a crashed helicopter and extinguishing a fire on the flight deck.

"Helicopters are vital to the mission of LCS because they extend our ability to monitor and manipulate the surrounding environment," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Joseph Wilson, one of the senior members of the "blue crew" team of Independence Sailors being trained. "By training everyday…it builds our confidence by building our muscle memory for when we are faced with the real thing."

One of the most crucial portions of the training is personnel injury response.

"Immediate medical first-responder treatment could mean the difference between life and death for the pilot and passengers," said the "blue crew" independent duty corpsman aboard Independence, Chief Hospital Corpsman Tricia Loomis. "The first responders must be ready to treat everything from burns to broken bones to life-threatening smoke inhalation injuries that could compromise the airway. It is essential they are familiar with appropriate triage [procedures] to ensure the most immediate injuries and casualties are treated first."

USS Independence is scheduled to complete their final aviation readiness qualification for both blue and gold crews later this month.

USS Independence, a high-speed aluminum trimaran that departed the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. March 26, 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.

 

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U.S. Navy's Newest Littoral Combat Ship Arrives in Norfolk Today
UNITED STATES - 14 APRIL 2010

NORFOLK, Va. -- Littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk April 14, ending her maiden voyage.

The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence sailed away from the Austal USA shipyards in Mobile, Ala., March. 26.

This milestone marks the completion of initial testing and evaluation of the innovative aluminum trimaran vessel, the first of its kind in the Naval Surface Force.

"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," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, Independence Blue Crew commanding officer

Independence's maiden voyage began with a port visit to Key West, Fla., where the crew gave tours to many local groups and was able to enjoy liberty for the first time outside of Mobile, Ala.

USS Independence's next stop was Naval Station Mayport, Fla., which was the first time that the ship moored in the company of other naval vessels. During the ship's stay at Mayport, the Littoral Combat Ship Class Squadron led aviation training for both rotational crews in preparation for their final certification to embark aircraft due later this month. Practice rounds for the new SEARAM weapon system were also loaded aboard the ship. USS Independence is the first Navy ship to be armed with the SEARAM.

Operations at sea during this maiden voyage have consisted of continued testing on the ship's capabilities and limitations, and the ship reached several milestones. USS Independence deployed and recovered its five-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat, as well as anchored at sea, for the first time outside of the shipyard. The crew also conducted extensive training with the SEARAM weapon system.

USS Independence will depart Naval Station Norfolk April 17 for Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in Fleet Week.

 

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PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (April 26, 2010) The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) enters Port Everglades for the start of Fleet Week Port Everglades.



ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 17, 2010) The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) departs Naval Station Norfolk as the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) departs for sea trials. USS Enterprise is underway for sea trials after spending more than two years in a maintenance period at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard.

 

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USS Independence Begins Industrial Post-Delivery Availability
UNITED STATES - 7 MAY 2010

WASHINGTON -- USS Independence (LCS 2) began its first industrial post-delivery availability (IPDA) at the BAE Ship Repair Yard in Norfolk, Va., May 6.

The IPDA is a planned event in the ship's post-delivery period.

During the availability, USS Independence will implement launch recovery and handling system improvements and complete installation of commercial broadband satellite program systems. USS Freedom (LCS 1) underwent a similar shipyard period in 2009.

"We are working quickly and efficiently to prepare this ship for operational tasking," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, littoral combat ship (LCS) program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "Just like her sister ship USS Freedom, LCS 2 is going to bring an incredible capability to the Navy, and we're committed to making sure the ship is fully prepared for everything it may be called upon to do."

Prior to the availability, Independence completed structural test firing (STF) exercises. The STF exercise was held to test the ship's weapon systems to ensure they operate as installed and integrated with the hull structure. During the tests, USS Independence successfully tested its 57mm guns, SeaRAM missiles and identification friend-or-foe system

Following the completion of the IPDA in August 2010, USS Independence will continue conducting post-delivery tests and trials designed to further test the ship's systems and familiarize the crew with the unique hull form and operating concept.

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. Operational experience and analyses indicate that potential adversaries will employ asymmetric means to deny U.S. and allied forces access into critical coastal regions, such as strategic chokepoints and vital economic sea lanes. LCS is specifically designed to defeat such "anti-access" threats, which include fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines and various types of mines.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft. Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships are benefiting from serial production efficiencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.

 

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NORFOLK (May 6, 2010) The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at BAE Systems Ship Repair in Norfolk, Va. to begin its first industrial post-delivery availability. During the availability, the ship will complete the installation of needed components not installed during construction.



NORFOLK (May 6, 2010) The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at BAE Systems Ship Repair in Norfolk, Va. to begin its first industrial post-delivery availability. During the availability, the ship will complete the installation of needed components not installed during construction.

 

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Raytheon's SeaRAM Completes Blast Test Vehicle Launches
UNITED STATES - 24 MAY 2010

TUCSON, Ariz., May 24, 2010 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) SeaRAM Anti-ship Missile Defense System completed two blast test vehicle launches aboard the USS Independence (LCS 2).

Designed to validate the structural integrity of both the weapon system and the ship, the launches clear the way for SeaRAM's live-fire testing on LCS 2 later this year.

"SeaRAM met all test objectives and demonstrated the system's critical at-sea firing capabilities," said Al Steichen, Raytheon's SeaRAM program manager. "SeaRAM is fully integrated with the Independence's combat management system and will provide a proven, highly lethal self-defense capability."

SeaRAM is a low-cost spiral development of Raytheon's combat-proven Phalanx Block 1B radar and Rolling Airframe Missile, the latter produced jointly by Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany. Intended to enlarge a ship's self-defense keep-out range against anti-ship missiles and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, SeaRAM replaces Phalanx's M61A1 20 mm gun with an 11-round RAM launcher.

"SeaRAM's self-contained defense capability leverages Phalanx's reliable multispectral sensors and weapon control capability with the demonstrated lethality of RAM," said Steichen. "It marks the beginning of the next generation of close-in weapon systems."


Source: Raytheon Company

 

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Gun Mission Module Installed Aboard LCS 2
UNITED STATES - 5 AUGUST 2010

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. Navy installed the second gun mission module (GMM) aboard USS Independence (LCS 2) July 28 in Norfolk, Va.

The GMM is an integral part of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Surface Warfare (SUW) Mission Package used for counter-piracy, maritime interdiction and security missions. GMM consists of two MK 46 turret mounted, axis-stabilized, 30mm chain gun systems that can fire up to 200 rounds per minute.

Following installation, integration and end-to-end testing was conducted. "The GMM breaks the paradigm of traditional fixed weapons that require permanent installation into the ship," said Capt. John Ailes, program manager for Program Executive Office Littoral and Mine Warfare's (PEO LMW) LCS Mission Modules program office (PMS 420). "Traditional weapon system installations require the ship to be alongside the pier for an extended upgrade/repair period to accomplish any significant weapon system upgrades/repairs.

Ailes also said the SUW GMM can be upgraded separately from the ship and the updated GMM can then be installed quickly, greatly improving operational tempo.

He added that reverse flexibility of the system is also true, with the GMM capable of being removed and embarked on another LCS platform, reducing the need to procure two GMMs for each platform. The GMM is procured to warfighting requirements and not quantities of ships.

The LCS SUW Mission Package team, lead by Cmdr. William Guarini, PMS 420, installed the GMM on LCS 2.

GMM was the first module of the SUW Mission Package rolled out in July 2008, and consists of an MK44, Mod 2, 30mm automatic chain gun secured in an MK 46 turret. The gun can be fired in single, 5-round bursts and unlimited length bursts. Each GMM has a magazine capacity of more than 800 rounds and fires U.S. Navy 30 X 173mm ammunition. The weapon system is designed to counter small boat threats.

The first Engineering Development Model (EMD) was subsequently installed on LCS 1 and used during Freedom's recent deployment to the U.S. Southern Command's Area of Operations where LCS 1 successfully conducted narcotics trafficking interdiction missions.

Freedom also conducted testing of the GMM recently during the annual Rim of the Pacific Exercise near the Hawaiian Islands.

The team also installed the first EDM of the launcher for the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) in the forward centerline weapon zone. LCS 2 is built with a center-line weapon zone and port and starboard weapon zones. Current planning for SUW employment has the 30mm GMM carried in the port and starboard weapon zones and the SSMM carried in the centerline weapon zone.

The SUW MP team consisted of Sailors from LCS Mission Package Detachment 2, government engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

An affiliated program executive office of Naval Sea Systems Command, PEO LMW designs, delivers and maintains systems, equipment and weapons needed by the warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space, and provides the warfighter assured access.