Austal launches future USS Augusta
The future USS Augusta being launched on 23 May. (Photo: Austal USA)
Sea trials of the latest Independence-variant LCS are scheduled for late 2022, even as the USN proposes to confine the vessels to mine countermeasure missions.
The 17th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) vessel for the USN took to the water on 23 May, after shipbuilder Austal USA conducted a multi-step launch of the future USS Augusta (LCS 34).
Assisted by tugs, the 2,500t ship was escorted from the Austal USA floating dry dock in Mobile, Alabama, and secured pierside on the waterfront for machinery commissioning and system activation.
Sea trials will follow ‘later this year’, Austal USA noted in a statement. Augusta will then join her sister ships in the Pacific.
A total of 19 Independence-variant LCSs are on order from the USN, with five of these at various stages of construction.
However, Under President Joe Biden’s 2023 US DoD budget request, the USN plans to eliminate the LCS anti-submarine warfare mission due to technical challenges and the upcoming entry into service of the Constellation-class frigate.
The Independence-variant vessels will be devoted to mine countermeasure missions instead.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
-
![Can the West keep up with China’s “XXL” uncrewed submarines?]()
Can the West keep up with China’s “XXL” uncrewed submarines?
The UK, the US and Australia have all been working on “extra-large” uncrewed underwater vehicles, but China’s reported development of a significantly larger capability demonstrates the country’s rapid advancement in underwater warfare.
-
![Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?]()
Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?
The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.
