LCS 12 completes acceptance trials

LCS 12 on acceptance trials

MAY 23, 2017 — Naval Sea Systems Command reports that the Navy’s future USS Omaha (LCS 12) successfully conducted 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).

Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. During the trial, the Navy conducted comprehensive tests of LCS 12 intended to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling, and auxiliary systems. While underway, Omaha successfully performed launch and recovery operations of the 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat, completed surface and air self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, and demonstrated the ship’s maneuverability through high-speed steering, crash backs, and four hour full power run.

“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 Captain Tom Anderson, LCS program manager. “Omaha will be an exceptional addition to the rapidly growing in-service fleet.”

Following delivery, a post-delivery maintenance availability and crew training and familiarization exercises in Mobile, Ala., Omaha will sail to California for commissioning. Omaha will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. with sister ships USS Independence (LCS 2), USS Coronado (LCS 4), USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Montgomery (LCS 8) and USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), which departed Mobile earlier this month.

Several more Independence variant hulls are under construction at shipbuilder Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama, shipyard.

Manchester (LCS 14) is preparing for builders trial this summer; Tulsa (LCS 16) was christened and launched earlier this year; and Charleston (LCS 18) is scheduled to be christened and launched this fall. Other sister ships, including Cincinnati (LCS 20), Kansas City (LCS 22), Oakland (LCS 24) and Mobile (LCS 26), are in varying stages of construction.