Tom Anderson News

Austal USA welcomed Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General Christopher Mahoney to the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard on March 4. They were joined by Senator Roger Wicker, Congressman Jerry Carl, and Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, Program Executive Officer Ships.The visitors witnessed Austal USA’s focus on innovation, adherence to proven processes, and continued investment in the company’s people and facilities to meet the emerging needs of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Austal USA christened its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), USNS Cody, during a ceremony at its manufacturing facility. Cody is the first EPF Flight II as well as the first Navy vessel to honor the city of Cody, Wyo. The ceremony for the Navy’s first Flight II EPF was well attended by Navy leaders and elected officials. Vice Admiral Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the U.S.

HII announced that the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division ceremonially authenticated the keel of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Harrisburg (LPD 30). The ship’s sponsor, Alexandra Curry, a resident of Middletown, Pa., and wife of the Middletown mayor, was unable to attend the ceremony so Program Executive Officer Ships Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, stepped in to declare the keel “truly and fairly laid.”“While she could not join us, we welcome Mrs. Curry in spirit as she is now an important part of our shipbuilding family,” said Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

Canadian shipping company Algoma Central Corporation has implemented Marine Learning Systems’ training platform to support employee development and Algoma’s Environmental Compliance Plan. The training management solution allows for on-demand reporting and anytime, anywhere training for safer operations.Algoma’s new system allows employees to access online training on board their vessels, even when internet connectivity is intermittent. This allows both shoreside and on-vessel employees to receive the same training experience, regardless of their location. In addition, the training solution delivers company-specific, on-the-job training for multiple roles and responsibilities.

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…

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.

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.

A ceremony was hosted to celebrate the keel authentication of the U.S. Navy's future USS Charleston (LCS 18), the ninth Independence variant littoral combat ship, June 28. Charlotte Riley, wife of former Charleston mayor Joseph Riley, serves as the ship's sponsor and honorary member and advocate for the crew. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne served as the honorary keel authenticator during the ceremony and was present to weld his initials into the keel plate. “The future USS Charleston stands as a testament to the strong and resilient spirit of her namesake city,” said Capt.

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of future USS Montgomery (LCS 8) during a ceremony on June 23 at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Marking the official transfer of Montgomery from the shipbuilder to the Navy, delivery is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for September 2016. “Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the future USS Montgomery, an exceptional ship which will conduct antisubmarine, surface and mine countermeasures operations around the globe with ever increasing mission package capability,” said Capt.

The U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Coronado (LCS 4) has completed survivability testing off the coast of California on January 28 in preparation for the ship's maiden deployment later this year. The purpose of the Total Ship Survivability Trial (TSST) is to evaluate the ship's systems and procedures following a simulated conventional weapon hit. The primary areas that are evaluated include the ship's ability to contain and control damage, restore and continue mission capability and care for personnel casualties.

A keel laying ceremony was held Monday for the U.S. Navy’s future USS Billings (LCS 15) at Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard in Wisconsin. Sharla Tester, Billings' sponsor and wife of Sen. Jon Tester, authenticated the ship's keel. As the ship's sponsor, Tester serves as an advocate and honorary member of the crew. "Much like her namesake city, the future USS Billings stands as a testament to the spirit of the American pioneers. She will be a pillar of strength in an uncertain world," said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS program manager.

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. "Today we celebrate an important milestone in the construction and ultimately life of the future USS Omaha," said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS program manager. The keel laying represents the formal beginning in the life of a ship and the ceremony recognizes the first joining together of a ship's components, though modern shipbuilding processes allow advanced fabrication of individual modules.

USS Independence (LCS 2) successfully completed Special Trials (ST), a series of at-sea tests on Aug. 2, following the ship's participation in the multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises that took place throughout the month of July. Independence, funded as a research development test and evaluation ship, conducted an ST instead of the usual final Contract Trial (FCT). Traditionally funded ships have a specific time frame for when FCT must take place, to identify issues or deficiencies to be corrected before the vessel is officially turned over to the U.S. Navy. Independence was commissioned in January 2010, and has already undergone several maintenance availabilities to correct issues uncovered in testing and operation.

USS Coronado (LCS 4) successfully completed final contract trials (FCT) June 6. The trial, administered by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, is part of a series of post-delivery test and trial events through which the ship and its major systems are exercised. The four-day FCT began with pre-underway and material condition checks, followed by at-sea demonstrations. Trial highlights included combat systems air and surface detect-to-engage scenarios, 57mm gun firing exercises…

The Navy and Lockheed Martin, with Marinette Marine Corp., have held a keel laying ceremony for the future 'USS Sioux City' (LCS 11), the Navy's 11th littoral combat ship (LCS). Ship sponsor Mary Winnefeld, wife of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral James "Sandy" Winnefeld, Jr., authenticated the keel by having her initials welded into a sheet of the ship's hull. "I'm both honored and delighted to be back in my home state of Wisconsin as the sponsor of Sioux City," said Mrs. Winnefeld.

The Navy's latest littoral combat ship, the future 'USS Coronado' (LCS 4), has departed from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., en route to her commissioning site in Coronado, Calif. Coronado is the fourth littoral combat ship delivered to the Navy, and the second LCS of the aluminum, trimaran Independence variant. It is scheduled to be commissioned April 5, and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. "It is exciting to see Coronado, operated by her Navy crew, exiting the new construction yard en route to her homeport," said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS Program Manager.

The future ‘USS Jackson’ launched from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, marks an important production milestone for the littoral combat ship (LCS) program. Jackson (LCS 6) joins the future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), which will launch from the Marinette Marine Corp. yard in Wisconsin next week. These ships are the first vessels procured under the block buy contract awarded in 2010 and represent the true beginning of "serial production" for the class. With serial production, the Navy is able to realize benefits such as improved cost structure per vessel and reduced construction time.

The future USS Jackson (LCS 6) launched from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 14, marking a production milestone for the littoral combat ship program. Jackson joins the future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), which will launch from the Marinette Marine Corp. yard in Wisconsin next week. These ships are the first vessels procured under the block buy contract awarded in 2010 and represent the true beginning of "serial production" for the class. With serial production, the Navy is able to realize benefits such as improved cost structure per vessel and reduced construction time. "Seeing multiple littoral combat ships on the Mobile waterfront is a beautiful thing," said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS program manager.

The St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the most important transportation links in North America. To maximize the efficient use of the seaway, in 2001, the Seaway authorities started to a study which would determine the maximum load ships can carry while maintaining a safe Under-Keel Clearance (UKC). Over the years the maximum draft of vessels transiting the Seaway in the MLO Montreal to Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal has been gradually increased. At the opening of the Seaway in 1959, the maximum draft for ships was set at 6.85 meters (22 feet 6 inches ).

Transas Marine receives approval for Saint Lawrence Seaway Draft Information System. The St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the most important transportation links in North America. To maximize the efficient use of the seaway, in 2001, the Seaway authorities started to a study which would determine the maximum load ships can carry while maintaining a safe Under-Keel Clearance (UKC). Over the years the maximum draft of vessels transiting the Seaway in the MLO Montreal to Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal has been gradually increased.