Uss Independence

Photo: USS Independence Builder’s Sea Trials

The Navy's first trimaran Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Independence (LCS 2), during Builder's Sea Trials in the Gulf of Mexico July 2009.

First Austal LCS Joins U.S. Navy Fleet

Austal-designed and built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Independence has officially joined the operating forces of the United States Navy following a commissioning ceremony held near Austal’s Mobile, Ala. facility. Thousands of Navy officials, politicians, industry delegates and spectators joined in welcoming USS Independence into the U.S. Navy fleet, where it will serve as a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments

This Day in Naval History - Oct. 1

From the Navy News Service 1800 - U.S. schooner Experiment captures French schooner Diana. 1844 - The Naval Observatory, headed by Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury, occupies its first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser Lt. J.Q. Barton is given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a pay department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until Oct. 1, 1877, when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy.

This Day in Naval History – Oct. 20

1824 - U.S. Schooner Porpoise captures four pirate ships off Cuba. 1944 - Seventh Fleet lands over 60,000 Army troops on Leyte, Philippines while Japanese aircraft attack. 1952 - Task Force 77 establishes ECM Hunter/Killer Teams of 2 ECM equipped aircraft and an armed escort of 4 Skyraiders and 4 Corsairs. 1967 - Operation Coronado VII began in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. 1983 - Due to political strife, USS Independence (CV-59 ) ordered to Grenada.

USS Coronado Launches with Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster of Texas is awarded contract for LCS 6 and LCS 8.   In a time-honored ceremony, amid much pomp and tradition, the majestic 418-foot trimaran built by Austal in Mobile, Alabama officially became the future USS CORONADO (LCS 4). With a Thrustmaster hydraulic retractable azimuthing thruster under her bow, the U.S. Navy’s newest ship was christened today before hundreds of distinguished guests and navy brass

Austal LCS Contracts Signify Navy's Program Commitment

The US Navy has exercised contract options with Austal USA for the construction of LCS 14 & LCS 16. Austal USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately $681.7 million dollars as a result of two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract options being exercised by the United States Navy. The contract options fund construction of the LCS 14 and LCS 16, the fifth and sixth ships in the 10-ship block buy award made to an Austal-led team in December 2010

Navy to Base First Four LCS in San Diego

The Navy announced today that the first four Littoral Combat Ships LCS) will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif. Key in the success of implementing these new concepts is the ability to collocate these ships to achieve readiness alignment and economy of scale. This collocation is especially important for the first ships in the class as waterfront facilities, infrastructure, training and maintenance

SUPSHIP, New Orleans Holds Change of Command Ceremony

CAPT John Robert Exell relieved CAPT David Joe Vogel at a Change of Command Ceremony for the Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP), New Orleans, Wednesday, 12 December 2001. RADM Charles Young, Vice Commander, NAVSEA, was the principal speaker. In his remarks, RADM Young reflected on CAPT Vogel’s service to NAVSEA. He applauded CAPT Vogel’s efforts, which he said had created a dynamic three-year resurgence in quality assurance by

New Cruise Ship 3 Months Ahead of Schedule

The brand new American Cruise Lines ship, Independence, being built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, was taken on its first underway trials yesterday. This important milestone trial occurred three months ahead of schedule.  Maneuvering and equipment tests were performed successfully while the ship was underway in the Wicomico River. American Cruise Lines will run the Independence on 7-14 night cruises beginning on June 12, 2009 with 102 passengers on the East Coast

Austal Awarded Construction of JHSV 6 & 7

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction sixth and seventh Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a ten-ship program potentially worth over $1.6b.The construction contract for both vessels is valued at approximately $313m. Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Rella cited the Mobile shipyard’s continuing growth as a key factor. “Without the support and vision of our Australian headquarters