LCS 17 completes acceptance trials

USS Indianapolis, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 17, has completed acceptance trials at Lake Michigan, the final large milestone before it is delivered to the US Navy. 

This vessel is the ninth Freedom-class LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team, and is expected to be delivered to the USN this year.

‘LCS 17 is joining the second-largest class of ships in the US Navy fleet, and we are proud to get the newest Littoral Combat Ship one step closer to delivery,’ Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for small combatants and ship systems, said. 

‘This ship is lethal and flexible, and we are confident that she will capably serve critical US Navy missions today and in [the] future.’

The trials included a full-power run, manoeuvrability testing, and surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship's combat system. 

Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation support, small boat launch handling and recovery, and machinery control and automation.

‘I am extremely proud of our LCS team including our shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine,’ Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO, added. 

‘These are complex vessels, and it takes a strong team effort to design, build and test these American warships.’