Gabrielle Giffords News

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) Feb. 5, 2022, in Brunswick, Ga.Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., The 418-foot-long LCS 28 is the 14th Independence-variant LCS and 28th in its class. The LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments while capable of open-ocean tasking. The LCS can support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.Construction on LCS 28 began in July 2018 and a keel laying ceremony was held for the vessel in September 2019.

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA, part of Australia's Austal Group, hosted a christening ceremony for the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard today. Ship sponsor Lolita Zinke performed the ceremonial bottle break over the bow of the Santa Barbara, the 16th LCS designed and constructed by Austal USA and the third U.S. Navy ship to be named after the California coast city.Zinke, wife of former U.S. Congressman and former U.S.

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA said Wednesday it has delivered the future USS Mobile, the 13th Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) for the U.S. Navy.Mobile (LCS 26) is one of 16 ships Austal has delivered to the Navy over the last five years, including four deliveries in 2020.“We’re especially excited for Mobile to join the fleet to pay tribute to a great community which has contributed to our success in so many ways over the years,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said.

The future USS Mobile (LCS 26) completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico on September 25, Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced. LCS 26 is the third Austal-built ship for the U.S. Navy to complete acceptance trials in 2020.“I am proud of how the Austal team has come together again, in the middle of this pandemic, only a week after a Cat 2 hurricane made landfall in our backyard, completing another major milestone for one of our Navy ships - especially one so near and dear to us, named after our great city of Mobile, Alabama,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) Friday during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. The delivery marks the final milestone prior to the ship's scheduled commissioning in early 2021.Oakland is the 22nd littoral combat ship (LCS) and the 12th of the Independence variant to join the U.S. Navy fleet. Its delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy, bringing the service's inventory up to 300.“This is a great day for the Navy and our country with the delivery of the future USS Oakland,” said LCS program manager Capt.

The Independence-class littoral combat ship - the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) - has completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico, shipbuilder Austal has informed.The LCS 24 is the 12th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama for the United States Navy (USN).Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the successful completion of acceptance trials for LCS 24 during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated Austal USA’s capability and reliability to deliver vessels on time…

The future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. LCS 22 is the 11th Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), built by Austal USA in Mobile, to reach this milestone.Acceptance trials involve the execution of intense comprehensive tests by the Austal USA-led industry team while underway, which demonstrate to the Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. This the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship.

Austal USA delivered its sixth littoral combat ship to the U.S. Navy on Friday, September 15. The future USS Omaha (LCS 12) is the nation’s 10th littoral combat ship delivered to the Navy, the first of two that the shipbuilder will deliver this year. “They’re here and ready. Our Independence-variant littoral combat ships are coming off the line with exceptional quality and under the congressional cost cap,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. The Omaha delivery follows the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) commissioning which took place in Galveston, Texas, earlier this summer. With the USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Montgomery (LCS…

The newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) arrived in San Diego July 5, after successfully completing her maiden voyage from Mobile, Alabama. Following construction and acceptance trials earlier this year at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Giffords sailed to Galveston, Texas, where she was commissioned June 10. "Our Sailors are honored to represent the ship namesake, its homeport in San Diego and the U.S. Navy," said Cmdr. Keith Woodley, Giffords' commanding officer. During her sail around transit from Mobile, Giffords Sailors conducted Combat Ship Systems Qualification Trials (CSSQT) events, various crew certification training events and regularly scheduled equipment and systems checks and transited through the Panama Canal.

The U.S. Navy’s 10th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Gabrielle Giffords was commissioned at the Port of Galveston, Texas, on Saturday, June 10, becoming the 16th ship to be named for a woman and only the 13th ship to be named for a living person since 1850. The ship’s homeport will be San Diego. “This is the fifth such LCS in a 10-ship Independence–variant ship program with Austal USA that uses our LM2500. The two LM2500 engines are arranged in a combined diesel and gas turbine or CODAG configuration with two diesel engines…

USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), the Navy's newest littoral combat ship, was brought to life by her crew before a crowd of nearly 2,500 guests at Pier 21 at the Port of Galveston, June 10. Adm. William Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, delivered the ceremony's principal address before officially commissioning the ship into service. "As we man the rails today, blood gets pumped, the ship comes alive, and the heart begins to beat," said Moran. "It's the blood that is infused by the spirit, the attitude, and the courage of its namesake. Following the commissioning, Dr. The crowd sounded its approval as the crew ran aboard the ship to man their assigned stations and complete the ceremony of bringing the ship into active service to end a story that began more than five years ago.

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

The future USS Omaha (LCS 12) has completed its final significant milestone before delivery to the U.S. Navy, having passed its acceptance trials May 12 after completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). During the trial, the Navy demonstrated the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems via a series of comprehensive tests. While underway, Omaha performed launch and recovery operations of the 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat…

Austal Limited has announced that Austal USA has hosted the christening of the future USS Tulsa, the 8th Independence variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) designed and constructed for the United States Navy (USN). Former Mayor of Tulsa and current Chief of Economic Development for the Oklahoma city, Mrs Kathy Taylor formally christened USS Tulsa at a formal ceremony held at Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard. In addition to the USS Independence (LCS 2) and Coronado (LCS 4), Austal USA is delivering 11 Independence variant LCS to the USN, under a contract valued at approximately US$4 billion.

GE’s Marine Solutions noted that several milestones were recently marked on U.S. Navy and Coast Guard surface combatant programs that all use GE’s LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbines. On December 23, 2016, the U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the fifth Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Gabrielle Giffords. GE will provide 20 LM2500 gas turbines for the Austal USA LCS program, part of a contract for up to 10 ships to be built by Austal USA. The two LM2500s are arranged in a Combined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) configuration with two diesel engines.

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during a ceremony, Dec. 23. Gabrielle Giffords is the ninth littoral combat ship (LCS) to be delivered to the Navy and the fifth of the Independence variant to join the fleet. The Independence variant is noted for its unique trimaran hull, ability to operate at high speeds and large flight deck size. "We are pleased to receive the future USS Gabrielle Giffords into the LCS class," said Capt. Harrison, commander, LCS Squadron (COMLCSRON) 1. COMLCSRON-1 supports the operational commanders with warships ready for tasking by manning, training, equipping and maintaining all littoral combat ships in the fleet. Delivery marks the official transfer of LCS 10 from the shipbuilder, an Austal USA-led team, to the Navy.

Austal delivered the fifth Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), to the U.S. Navy on December 23, exactly six months from the date LCS 8 was handed over, at an official document signing ceremony held aboard the ship. This milestone marks the third LCS built by Austal as the prime contractor. “It’s exciting to be handing over another littoral combat ship to the Navy,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. Six Independence-variant LCS remain under construction at Austal’s Alabama shipyard. Omaha (LCS 12) and Manchester (LCS 14) are preparing for sea trials. Assembly is underway…

The fifth Independence-variant littoral combat ship built by Austal, Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), successfully completed acceptance trials, Nov. 18, in the Gulf of Mexico. “I am proud of Austal’s achievement of another major milestone in the LCS program.” said Craig Perciavalle, President of Austal USA. “The steady increase in momentum on this program, with seven LCS currently under construction, has sharpened our focus on leveraging lessons learned from one ship to the next. This milestone achievement involved the execution of intense comprehensive tests by the Austal-led industry team while underway, which demonstrated to the Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment.

Future Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) successfully completed its acceptance trials Nov. 18. The trials consisted of a series of in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. During the trials, the Navy conducted comprehensive tests of the LCS intended to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling, and auxiliary systems. "Another thorough trial by INSURV, and another ship with improved scores and at a lower cost than her predecessor," said LCS Program Manager Capt. Tom Anderson.

The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract to Austal Limited USA to provide engineering and management services support of the Post Shakedown Availability for Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). The US$12 million cost-plus-award-fee order adds to Austal USA’s growing support business, which provides critical support to both the LCS and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) fleets. Austal USA will provide design, planning, and material support services for Gabrielle Giffords (LCS10), including program management, materials planning, engineering and design, material kitting, liaison and scheduling. Austal USA is currently completing an 11-ship Independence-variant LCS contract for the U.S. Navy worth over US$3.5 billion.

Austal celebrated the christening of the Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Yuma (EPF 8) with a ceremony at its state-of-the-art shipyard here, this morning. The ship’s sponsor, former Secretary of Homeland Security and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, headlined the group of Austal officials, naval guests, civic leaders, community members and Austal employees who attended the ceremony beneath the hull of the ship in Austal’s final assembly bay. “As a former governor of Arizona, I am especially pleased to sponsor a ship that bears the name of a city whose history is synonymous with the arc of American history,” said Napolitano, who currently serves as the president of the University of California.

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) has been awarded a US$11,239,032 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide emergent availability planning and full ship shock trials (FSST) support for tests to be conducted on Littoral Combat Ship USS JACKSON (LCS 6). Specifically, Austal USA will plan for and conduct any “in-between shot” repairs required during the FSST event(s), repair any damage sustained during the FSST period and coordinate the removal of FSST testing equipment and instrumentation following completion of the trials. The FFST comprise a series of tests designed to demonstrate the ship’s ability to withstand the effects of nearby underwater explosions and retain required capability.

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) delivered the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8) to the U.S. Navy, during a ceremony held aboard the ship at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, USA on 23 June. The delivery of LCS 8 marks the fourth Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Austal has delivered to the Navy. Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said this is the second vessel that Austal has delivered as the prime contractor and is testament to a lot of hard work in preparing the ship to the shock requirements. Six additional LCS remain under construction in Mobile as part of an 11-ship contract worth over US$3.5 billion from the U.S. Navy. Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), Omaha (LCS 12) and Manchester (LCS 14) are all preparing for trials.