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On May 23rd, Austal USA successfully launched the 17th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Augusta (LCS 34). Assisted by tugs, the ship was escorted out of Austal USA’s floating dry dock and secured pier side on the waterfront for machinery commissioning and system activation in preparation for sea trials later this year. The launch of Augusta was…
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In a historic moment for the region, a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Sioux City (LCS 11), deployed to U.S. Sixth Fleet’s area of operations, supporting U.S. and NATO Ally and Partner interests in Europe and Africa. The deployment provides an opportunity for Sioux City to gain experience in an area littoral combat ships have never before operated. “Sioux City’s…
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USS Freedom (LCS 1), the lead ship of the Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, recognized more than a decade of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. Due to public health safety and restrictions of large public events related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the ceremony was a private event celebrated alongside ship plankowners and former…
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June 22, 2021 – Austal Limited is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Defense has awarded Austal USA a modification to a previously awarded Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program contract. The modification provides Austal with a total potential additional value of US$44,384,296 (approx. A$58,742,000). The contract modification exercises options for LCS Class design services, material to support…
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June 2, 2021 – General Dynamics Mission Systems announced today the award of a multi-million-dollar firm fixed-price contract from Northrop Grumman to provide Reduced Weight Basic Operating Assembly (RWBOA) containers for U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The containers, developed specifically for the Navy, will be produced at General Dynamics’ Marion, Virginia facility, with first delivery expected in December. RWBOA…
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April 17, 2021 – The Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) during a ceremony, April 17. Navy leaders, Oakland city officials and a socially distanced audience attended the ceremony for the third ship in naval service to be named in honor of the city of Oakland. The first USS Oakland was a transport cargo ship commissioned…
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April 9, 2021 – Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) conducted a successful Rolling Airframe Missile (SeaRAM) launch during a live-fire exercise, April 8. Warships and their watch teams conduct live-fire exercises, like the SeaRAM launch, in preparation for contributing to the high-end fight and maintaining warfighting readiness within the surface fleet. The SeaRAM is designed to offer…
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