The recent commissioning of the USS Independence by West Australian shipbuilder, Austal, has been described as one of the company’s “proudest moments”.

The Austal-designed and built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS),  officially joined the operating forces of the United States Navy at an historic commissioning ceremony held near Austal’s Mobile, Alabama facility.
 
The company said thousands of Navy officials, politicians, industry delegates and spectators joined in welcoming USS Independence into the US Navy fleet, where it will serve as a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments. The ship is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which marked the birth of a new breed of naval surface combatant, Austal said.

The shipbuilder said the proven low-resistance trimaran hull form of USS Independence offers superior manoeuvrability and stability, endurance to travel 4300nm at 18kts, three weapon zones, capacity for any two mission packages simultaneously, and a flight deck larger than any other surface combatant other than aircraft carriers.

Austal managing director, Bob Browning, said the vessel would be an exciting addition to the US Navy’s fleet.

“USS Independence really is a new generation of combat ship. This technological leap in naval warfare will deliver significant advantages, not only in terms of increased capability, but also through vastly reduced operating costs over the life of the vessel,” said Browning.

“For a shipbuilder that started in business in Australia just 21 years ago to successfully hand over such a revolutionary platform to the most powerful navy in the world is both a momentous achievement and an honour. This is definitely one of Austal’s proudest moments,” he said.

The 127m all-aluminium vessel is capable of being outfitted with reconfigurable payloads (Mission Packages), which can be changed quickly to support mine countermeasure, anti-submarine and surface warfare missions. The vessel has a maximum speed of more than 45kts.

Austal said the performance benefits of the vessel’s trimaran hullform have been proven by the 127m Benchijigua Express, which has been in commercial service in Spain since 2005. The hullform is also used for Austal’s next generation 102m trimaran ferry that was recently launched in WA.

Doreen Scott, wife of the former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry Scott, served as ship's sponsor. In a time-honoured Navy tradition, she gave the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" following the breaking of the commissioning pennant. At that point Independence officially became a United States Ship (USS).

Austal USA President, Joe Rella, said delivery of the first LCS was a testament to the entire Austal USA workforce.  “The combination of their skills and hard work, and our investment in ongoing training and new facilities such as the recently opened Modular Manufacturing Facility, positions us well for further success,” he said.

The shipbuilder added that construction is already underway on its second US Navy LCS, Coronado, which is expected to be delivered in 2012, and that Austal USA had also begun construction of the first Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), Fortitude (JHSV 1). As Prime contractor, Austal said it will design and build up to 10 of the 103m JHSVs between now and FY13 — five for the US Navy and five for the US Army.

Photos: The new littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2) pier-side during her commissioning ceremony; Austal managing director, Bob Browning addressing the commissioning ceremony; The USS Independence during company sea trials; The massive landing deck of the USS Independence. Only dedicated aircraft carriers are said to be bigger.