Lockheed Martin has announced that the company has completed acceptance trials for its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 21, the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, in Lake Michigan, Lockheed Martin reported on Monday.
"LCS 21 joins a fleet of sister ships delivering unique flexibility and capability to the U.S. Navy," said Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager, Small Combatants and Ship Systems. "On LCS 21's acceptance trials, we successfully tested the ship's maneuverability, automation and core combat capability."
Lockheed Martin’s LCS 21 underwent a full-power run, maneuverability testing and surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship's combat system. The company presented innovative systems and features, including aviation support, small boat launch handling and recovery and machinery control and automation.
With the successful trial, Lockheed Martin will complete final outfitting and fine-tuning of LCS 21 before delivery to the U.S. Navy.LCS 21 is the eleventh Freedom-variant LCS designed and built. The company has a projected delivery date of early 2021.
The focused-mission LCS will support mine countermeasures, anti-submarine and surface warfare missions. The Freedom-variant LCS has integrated several unique features, including flexibility, lethality, automation and power.
Forty percent of the hull is easily reconfigurable, able to integrate Longbow Hellfire Missiles, 30 mm guns, manned and unmanned vehicles designed to meet mission demand. LCS is standard equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.
LCS has gas turbines, diesel engines and water jets that together generate 114 thousand horsepower making LCS capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots, and has developed the most efficient staffing of any combat ship.
"I am pleased to see another successful acceptance trials on Lake Michigan," said Jan Allman, CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine. "Together with our partners, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy, our proud shipbuilding team puts in long hours to deliver a proven warship for the fleet."
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
