USS Independence (LCS-2)
_before_being_commissioned.jpg) The Independence in the dock |
|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Order | October 14, 2005 |
| Keel laying | January 19, 2006 |
| Launch | April 26, 2008 |
| 1. Period of service |
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|
| Commissioning | January 16, 2010 |
| Technical specifications | |
| displacement |
2790 tn.l. fully loaded |
| length |
127.2 meters |
| width |
30.4 meters |
| Draft |
4.5 meters |
| crew |
15 to 50 permanent crew, 75 on duty |
| drive |
CODAG drive : two LM2500 gas turbines, two diesels |
| speed |
45+ knots |
| Armament | |
USS Independence (LCS-2) is a littoral combat ship of the United States Navy and belongs to the Independence class named after it . It is the design of the General Dynamics consortium, in competition with the Freedom class designed by Lockheed Martin . It is considered the largest trimaran in the world.
history
The contract to build Independence was awarded on October 14, 2005 to Austal USA in Mobile , Alabama . The keel was laid on January 19, 2006, and the launch took place on April 26, 2008. The Independence was baptized on October 4th , godmother was Doreen Scott, the wife of the former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry D. Scott .
The manufacturer's test drives began in July 2009. After the tests had to be stopped again and again due to problems mainly with the machine system, the Independence only passed the tests in October. In December, the Navy took down Independence . Commissioning took place on January 16, 2010 in Mobile , Alabama , and the Independence will be stationed in San Diego , California after its fleet test drives .
The field trials are to be completed by 2015, with a focus on testing the mine defense equipment module .
