Fourth Austral LCS completes acceptance trials

MOBILE, Ala., Aug. 28 (UPI)

The fourth Independence class littoral combat ship has completed acceptance trials, the last significant milestone prior to delivery to the U.S. Navy.

The Navy said the future USS Coronado's acceptance trials lasted four days, during which time the ship demonstrated the performance of its propulsion plant, handling and auxiliary systems.

Launch and recovery operations of rigid hull inflatable boats, surface and air self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, and ship maneuverability at speeds faster than 40 knots also were demonstrated.

"Coronado encompasses lessons learned from the construction and operation of its predecessor USS Independence. The value of those changes was evident in the strong performance of the ship during her trial," said Capt. Tom Anderson, the LCS program manager. "It's a very exciting time in the LCS program."

Following its delivery and commissioning by the Navy, the USS Coronado, built by Austral, will be home-ported in San Diego with its sister ships USS Freedom, USS Independence and USS Fort Worth.

The littoral combat ship class is designed to defeat threats in coastal waters. The Navy plans an LCS fleet of 52 ships.