Sea trials of the US Navy’s landmark Austal-designed and built 127-metre Littoral Combat Ship “Independence” (LCS 2) are expected to commence within weeks following the successful light off of the vessel’s main engines. Austal completed light off of the vessel’s four propulsion engines – two 22,000kW GE LM2500 gas turbines and two MTU 9,100kW 20V 8000 M71 diesels – following the fuel load and the testing of all four generators.
Activation and testing of the combat and other systems onboard “Independence” is continuing at Austal’s US facility in Mobile, Alabama, with delivery of the vessel expected later in the year.
Austal USA President and COO, Joe Rella, commented, “Austal USA continues to establish its rightful place as one of the world’s premium shipbuilders. The successful achievement of this major milestone is another example of Austal’s commitment to the LCS program’s goal of completing sea trials and delivering the LCS 2 to the Navy as quickly as possible.”