USS Billings completes acceptance trials
The US Navy’s Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Billings, has successfully completed acceptance trials in the waters of Lake Michigan, Lockheed Martin announced on 10 December.
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.
The future USS Billings is the eighth Freedom-class LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team, and is scheduled for delivery to the US Navy in 2019.
The fleet has been designed to support missions including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.
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