Freedom (Lcs 1) Begins Builder News

The nation's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1) was put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder's Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant. The 378-ft. Freedom, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Corporation-led industry team, is conducting Builder's Sea Trials in Lake Michigan. The trials -- which are a coordinated effort between the U.S. Navy and the Lockheed Martin team -- will include operational testing of the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and mission systems, as well as all related support systems.