US Navy’s USS Charleston completes acceptance trials

The US Navy’s Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Charleston has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico, NAVSEA announced on 31 July.

The vessel completed trials following a series of in-port and underway demonstrations for the navy's Board of Inspection and Survey.

During trials, the navy conducted comprehensive tests of the future USS Charleston to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling abilities and auxiliary systems. While underway, the ship successfully demonstrated its bow thruster, twin boom extensible crane operations with the 11m rigid-hull inflatable boat, completed surface and air self-defence detect-to-engage exercises and demonstrated the ship's handling and manoeuvrability through high-speed steering and operation of its anchor.

Following delivery, the ship will undergo a post-delivery availability that includes crew training, certifications and familiarisation exercises. The ship will be homeported in San Diego with other Independence-class ships.

USS Charleston will be delivered to the navy in summer 2018. Several other Independence-variant ships are under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.