US Navy retires USS Coronado
The view from USS Coronado in happier times. (Photo: USN/Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb Staples)
The USN on 14 September decommissioned the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Coronado — just eight years after it entered service.
A ceremony was held at the USN base in San Diego, California.
Coronado was one of 14 Independence-variant LCS vessels built by Austal USA and General Dynamics for the USN.
As noted by Shephard Defence Insight, massive cost increases and delays and the failure of LCSs to meet performance expectations prompted the USN to curtail the construction programme.
Instead, the USN is pinning faith in the Constellation-class frigate programme.
The original intention of the DoD was to retire three more LCSs: the Freedom-class USS Fort Worth, USS Detroit and USS Little Rock.
However, this plan was blocked in mid-2021 by Congress when it marked up the Biden administration's FY2022 budget proposal, burdening the USN with three vessels it does not want in frontline service.
More from Naval Warfare
-
German and Indian shipbuilders vie for Project 75I submarine contract
Another twist has occurred in India's tortuous pathway to obtaining six AIP-equipped submarines, as Germany seeks pole position.
-
Italy marks progress on U212 NFS programme, as plans for next-gen submarines emerge
On 6 June at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard, steel was cut for the Italian Navy's second U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS).
-
US and UK contract Kratos for Submarine Ballistic Missile Reentry Systems material testing
The US and UK have contracted Kratos Southern Research Engineering Division (SRE) for thermo-mechanical, high-heat, high-sheer re-entry material testing worth up to almost $47 million.