LCS 6 completes first full ship shock trial

JUNE 17, 2016 — USS Jackson (LCS 6), an Austal-built Independence variant LCS, has completed the first of a three-part series of full ship shock trials (FSST).

Jackson is the first ship since 2008 to undergo FSST.

During the FSST, the ship sailed through a Navy test range about 120 miles off the coast of Mayport, Florida, where it was subjected to the effects of a 10,000 lb explosive charge detonation.

Jackson has returned to Naval Station Mayport where it is undergoing inspections and preparation for the second FSST, scheduled for later in June.

During the course of FSST, the ship will experience detonations at subsequently closer ranges over a period of several weeks.

After each test, Jackson will head back into port for inspections and data collection.

“This is no kidding, things moving, stuff falling off of bulkheads. Some things are going to break. We have models that predict how electronics are going to move and cabinets are going to move, but some things are going to happen, and we’re going to learn a lot from this test,” former Program Executive Officer for LCS Rear Adm. Brian Antonio told USNI News last month.

USS Milwaukee (LCS-5), a Lockheed Martin team built Independence variant LCS built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard will undergo the same FSST test plan later in the summer.