USS Fort Worth Passes Final Contract Trials

USS Fort Worth Passes Final Contract Trials

USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) successfully completed final contract trials (FCT) and returned to Naval Station San Diego April 4. The trial, run by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), is part of a series of post-delivery tests and trials during which the ship and its major systems are exercised, tested and corrected as required.

USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), built by the Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette. Fort Worth, is the third littoral combat ship (LCS) delivered to the Navy, and the second LCS of the steel, semi-planing monohull Freedom variant.

The four-day FCT began with pre-underway and material condition checks, followed by at-sea demonstrations. Trial highlights included completion of main propulsion full power and maneuvering testing, combat systems air and surface detect-to-engage scenarios, 57mm gun firing exercises, and launch and recovery of the 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat.

Unlike the prolonged first of class post-delivery periods necessary to identify and resolve issues on LCS 1 and 2, LCS 3 will complete post-delivery test and trials within a year of sailing away from the building yard.

LCS is a high-speed, agile, shallow draft, mission-focused surface combatant designed for operations in the littoral environment, yet fully capable of open ocean operations. LCS is complementary to the surface fleet, with the ability to counter and outpace evolving threats independently or within a network of surface combatants.

PEO LCS provides a single program executive responsible for acquiring and maintaining the littoral mission capabilities of the class from end to end, beginning with procurement and ending with fleet employment and sustainment.

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Press Release, April 19, 2013