Future USS Detroit combat ship completes Navy's Acceptance Trial

LCS 7 to be commissioned in its namesake city before sailing to California

The USS Detroit completed its Acceptance Trials (July 2016). Credit: Lockheed Martin

The Navy announced today the future waterfront combat ship USS Detroit completed its final acceptance trial on July 15.

After undergoing numerous demonstrations and inspection for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), it is now set for delivery and commissioning this fall.

USS Detroit completed a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations.

While underway, the ship successfully performed launch and recovery operations of the 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat, conducted surface and air self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, and demonstrated the ship’s maneuverability.

The Navy’s LCS program manager Capt. Tom Anderson said this ship went through a trial with improved scores and lower costs than its predecessor.

“Detroit’s performance during acceptance trial is a testament to the hard work of the Marinette workforce. I look forward to placing the ship in the capable hands of her crew later this summer,” Anderson said.

During the trial, the Navy conducted comprehensive tests of the LCS intended to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems. While underway, the ship successfully performed launch and recovery operations of the 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat, conducted surface and air self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, and demonstrated the ship’s maneuverability.

After delivery and commissioning in Detroit, LCS 7 is set to sail to California to be homeported in San Diego with sister ships USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and USS Milwaukee (LCS 5).