Mar 12, 2015 ASDNews Source : US Navy

Austal USA shipyard held a keel laying ceremony for the sixth Independence variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Omaha (LCS 12), Feb. 18.

With Austal USA as the shipbuilder, teamed with General Dynamics as the combat systems provider, the future USS Omaha will be approximately 420 feet in length and have a waterline beam of greater than 100 feet.

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Apr 2, 2014 ASDNews Source : US Navy

The Navy will commission its newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Coronado (LCS 4), April 5, during a ceremony at Naval Air Station, North Island in Coronado, Calif.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Ring Keith, a long-time leader in the San Diego community, will serve as ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Keith gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

"The commissioning of USS Coronado is a celebration of the history of the great city of Coronado and its lasting relationship with our Navy and Marine Corps. The sailors aboard LCS 4 will bring this mighty warship to life with their skill and dedication, honoring her namesake and our nation for years to come," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "When she sets sail for distant shores, Coronado, and ships like her, will have a vital role maintaining freedom of the seas, and providing naval presence in the right place, all the time."

Cmdr. Shawn Johnston, a native of North Carolina, is the commanding officer of the ship's Gold Crew and will lead the core crew of 40 officers and enlisted personnel. The 2,790-ton Coronado was built by Austal USA Shipbuilding in Mobile, Ala. The ship is 417 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 100 feet, and a navigational draft of 15 feet. The ship uses two gas turbine and two diesel engines to power four steerable water jets to speeds in excess of 40 knots.

Designated LCS 4, Coronado is the fourth littoral combat ship and the second of the Independence variant. Named for Coronado, Calif., it is the third Navy ship to bear the name. USS Coronado (LCS 4) will be outfitted with reconfigurable mission packages and focus on a variety of mission areas including mine countermeasures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

The first USS Coronado (PF 38) was a patrol frigate and served as a convoy escort during World War II. The subsequent Coronado (AGF 11) was designed as an Austin Class Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) and was reconfigured to be an Auxiliary Command ship (AGF) in 1980 and subsequently served as the commander, Middle East Force flagship, then the commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship in the Mediterranean, and subsequently the commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet flag ship in the Eastern Pacific Ocean prior to decommissioning in 2006.

Mar 11, 2014 ASDNews Source : US Navy

A ceremony celebrating the laying and authentication of the keel of the future USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) was held at the Austal USA shipyard, today.

The keel was authenticated by the ship's sponsor, Virginia Kamsky, who confirmed that it was truly and fairly laid. Although the laying of the keel has historically signified the start of ship fabrication, modern technologies make it possible for the shipbuilding process to commence months before the keel has been laid.

"I want to thank our shipbuilders who are working so hard, from each keel laying to each delivery, to ensure the Navy receives the strongest, most flexible and capable ships possible," said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. "Trenton's keel laying marks the first significant milestone in her journey to delivery and eventual support of a variety of missions around the world."

JHSV 5 benefits from program maturity, building on the lessons learned from the earlier ships in the class. The ship leverages commercial design and technologies to ensure design stability and lower development costs.

Upon completion, USNS Trenton will be used for the rapid transport of troops, equipment, and supplies over operational distances, in support of a variety of missions including maneuver and sustainment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. JHSV 5 is capable of transporting 600 short tons of military cargo 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots.

The JHSV is capable of interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, features an off-load ramp and a flight deck, and has a shallow draft of less than 15 feet. Its speed and ability to access austere port environments, as well as the size and versatility of its cargo capabilities, makes the JHSV an extremely flexible asset for support of a wide range of operations.

The fourth ship to be named after New Jersey's capital city, JHSV 5 honors the values and the men and women of the city as well as the state of New Jersey. USNS Trenton will be owned and operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC), operating within MSC's Sealift program. She will be manned by a crew of 22 civil service mariners with military mission personnel embarking as required.

As one of the Department of Defense's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality warfighting assets - while balancing affordability and capability - is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy.

Jun 7, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) successfully launched, June 5, from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

The third joint high speed vessel is a versatile, non-combatant, transport ship that will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.

"This launch is an important achievement for the program, as it's the first time the ship has entered the water," said JHSV program manager Capt. Henry Stevens. "Launching signifies a ship is ready to enter into the final phase of construction including test and activation of major equipment such as the propulsion plant."

Millinocket will now prepare for a series of trials conducted by the shipbuilder, testing overall system performance underway prior to demonstration to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey later this year.

Each JHSV is designed to commercial standards, with limited modifications for military use. These vessels can transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, providing U.S. forces added mobility and flexibility. The ships also have an aviation flight deck to support day and night air vehicle launch and recovery operations. JHSVs have berthing space for up to 104 personnel and airline-style seating for up to 312.

JHSV 3 is one of two JHSVs currently under construction at Austal. The future USNS Fall River (JHSV 4) held a keel laying and authentication ceremony May 20, and JHSV 5 started fabrication in February. USNS Choctaw County delivered June 6. The lead ship of the class, USNS Spearhead, was delivered to the Navy in December 2012. A total of ten JHSV class ships are under contract with Austal.

Millinocket is designated as a U.S. Naval Ship (USNS), signifying its civilian crew. The vessel will have a core crew of 22 civilian mariners who will operate and navigate the ship as part of the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets, while balancing affordability and capability, is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy.

The Coronado, seen at its christening in January

2012, is the fourth LCS for the U.S. Navy.

Apr. 14, 2013 By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS – Defense News

WASHINGTON — Fire broke out aboard the littoral combat ship Coronado late Friday morning while the vessel was on its second day of sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, a U.S. Navy official confirmed Saturday.

No one was injured in the accident, and early indications are that the damage was minor, the official said.

The incident happened as the ship was conducting a full-power demonstration and running at high speed. Insulation on the starboard diesel exhaust first smoldered, then ignited but, according to the official, the flames were “extinguished immediately.”

Shortly after, the lagging on the port diesel exhaust repeated the sequence and again, the flames were immediately put out.

Running on its gas turbines, the Coronado returned to the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., late Friday night to begin the incident assessment by representatives from the Navy, Austal USA, diesel builder MTU and others.

Initial expectations were that the incident would not trigger a major delay in the ship’s sea trials or completion.

The Coronado (LCS 4) is the second ship of the Independence (LCS 2) class under construction for the Navy. The ship was christened in January 2012 and is scheduled for delivery this spring. It has been under construction in Mobile since 2009.

A spokesperson for prime contractor General Dynamics could not immediately be reached for comment. GD is the prime for the first two ships in the class, while Austal USA has taken over as prime for the remaining ships of the LCS 2 class. Austal USA spokesman Craig Hooper declined to comment on the incident, deferring to the Navy and GD.

Both the Freedom and Independence LCS variants are powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power plant. Two MTU 20V 8000 M90 diesels power the Independence-class ships, along with two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines.

Intended to be manned by very small crews compared with other naval warships, the LCSs are designed with a high degree of automated damage control systems, including extensive fire fighting fittings.

It could not be immediately confirmed if any design changes in the lagging or engine insulation had been made between the Independence and Coronado, or if any changes were planned for future ships.

The number of people aboard the Coronado at the time of the incident could not be immediately confirmed. Prior to acceptance by the Navy, ships on sea trials are operated by civilian crews — usually shipyard employees or contractors — and a large number of other people are on board, including representatives from the Navy and a host of technical contractors.

After the Coronado, Austal USA has contracts or contract options to build another 10 ships for the Navy.