Latest LCS Completes US Navy Trials

Littoral Combat Ship 6 (LCS 6), the future USS Jackson, has completed U.S. Navy acceptance trials, shipbuilder Austal Limited announced.

The trials, the final milestone before delivery, were undertaken in the Gulf of Mexico and involved testing of the vessel’s major systems and equipment by the U.S. Navy.

“The LCS program is maturing into an efficient phase of construction,” said Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy. “Completion of our first Acceptance Trial on LCS 6 as the prime contractor is a significant and important milestone for Austal. This program is steadily gaining momentum heading towards a smooth transition from LCS to frigate.”

After delivery of LCS 6, Austal will deliver a further nine Littoral Combat Ships from its shipyard at Mobile, Alabama, under a 10-ship, $3.5 billion block-buy contract from the U.S. Navy. Of those, Montgomery (LCS 8) is preparing for trials and delivery later this year. Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) was recently christened. Final assembly is well underway on Omaha (LCS 12) and Manchester (LCS 14). Modules for Tulsa (LCS 16) and Charleston (LCS 18) are under construction in Austal’s module manufacturing facility.