US Navy commissions USS Tulsa
The US Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 16, the USS Tulsa, at Pier 30/32 in San Francisco on 16 February.
The 3,200t Tulsa has been built by General Dynamics/Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. It is powered by two gas turbine engines, two main propulsion diesel engines and four waterjets and has a maximum speed of up to 40kt.
LCS 16 is the eighth vessel of the Independence-variant.
The LCS has been designed to operate in near-shore environments to support mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.
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