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Future Independence-class LCS USS Omaha Completes Acceptance Trials

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Naval Industry News - USA
 
 
 
 
Future Independence-class LCS USS Omaha Completes Acceptance Trials
 
Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce that the Independence variant Littoral Combat Ship 12 (LCS 12), the future USS Omaha, has successfully completed United States Navy (USN) acceptance trials. Omaha is the 6th Independence variant LCS to be designed and built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama under a current contract with the USN for 11 LCS vessels, valued at over US$3.5 billion.
     
Future Independence-class LCS USS Omaha Completes Acceptance TrialsThe future USS Omaha (LCS 12) during sea trials. Austal picture.
     
Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said “The LCS continues to demonstrate Austal’s capabilities as a leading, global shipbuilder to deliver multiple, high value naval programs concurrently, in our shipyards throughout the world,”

“Omaha is the latest example of how Austal is successfully delivering complex, frigate-sized naval vessels today; providing further assurance of Austal’s capabilities to deliver both OPV and Future Frigate projects here in Australia,” Mr Singleton added.

The last significant milestone before delivery of the ship, the Navy-conducted acceptance trials includes comprehensive tests of the vessels’ propulsion plant, handling and auxiliary systems.

"The Navy/Industry trials team in Mobile has found their stride and, with stability in the serial production line, are bringing ships to trial with consistently improved performance at decreasing cost," said the United States Navy’s Captain Tom Anderson, LCS Program Manager.

"Omaha will be an exceptional addition to the rapidly growing in-service fleet."

Austal’s LCS program is at full-rate production, delivering two ships a year with six ships currently under construction. Manchester (LCS 14) is preparing for trials and Tulsa (LCS 16) will begin trials at the end of the year. Final assembly is well underway on Charleston (LCS 18) and Cincinnati (LCS 20), while modules for Kansas City (LCS 22) are under construction in Austal’s Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF). The USN’s Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program is also under construction in Mobile, where Austal is delivering 12 x 103 metre EPF’s under a US$1.9 billion contract.

Austal is currently bidding with German shipbuilder and designer Fassmer for the Australian Government’s A$3 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project which will see 12 vessels constructed for the Royal Australian Navy from 2018; part of the Government’s A$89 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Plan, formally announced last week.