Little Rock completes acceptance trials
Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine have successfully completed acceptance trials on the US Navy’s future Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Little Rock.
USS Little Rock is the fifth Freedom-variant LCS built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine.
The five-day trials, conducted in port and at sea by the US Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, signify the last major milestone before the ship's delivery.
During the trials, the navy conducted comprehensive tests of the LCS to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems.
The team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS and has delivered four ships to the US Navy to date. The future USS Little Rock is one of eight ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with one more in long-lead production.
Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine are now preparing Little Rock for delivery in the coming weeks. The ship will be commissioned later this year in Buffalo, New York.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![ASFAT and United Defense Technology partner to bid for Royal Thai Navy frigate build]()
ASFAT and United Defense Technology partner to bid for Royal Thai Navy frigate build
The Thai and Turkish companies will work together to bid for the four-vessel contract.
-
![EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats]()
EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats
The EU and leading defence firms are collaborating on improving autonomous seabed warfare capabilities.
-
![Malaysia’s Maharaja Lela frigates to fit SEA’s Torpedo Launcher System]()
Malaysia’s Maharaja Lela frigates to fit SEA’s Torpedo Launcher System
The TLS is expected to improve the vessels’ anti-submarine warfare performance in Malaysia’s littoral region.
-
![New contract enhances local building commitment of Colombia’s PES frigate programme]()
New contract enhances local building commitment of Colombia’s PES frigate programme
Damen Naval has signed a contract with Heinen & Hopman, which will use local Colombian HVAC-R experts to fit out the fleet.
-
![US Navy shipbuilding branded “too slow” and “too expensive” by acquisition chief]()
US Navy shipbuilding branded “too slow” and “too expensive” by acquisition chief
Several of the US Navy’s leading programmes, including the Constellation-class frigate and the Virginia-class submarine, are significantly behind schedule.
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
