Newest littoral combat ship christenedThe Associated Press
Posted : Monday Oct 6, 2008 6:54:24 EDT
MOBILE, Ala. — Navy Secretary Donald Winter said he expects sea trials for the littoral combat ship Independence will demonstrate the warship’s abilities.
“We are looking forward to being able to conduct those trials and commission this ship,” Winter said Saturday at a christening ceremony for the $500 million vessel at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile.
Bath Iron Works president Dugan Shipway said the Independence is the United States’ first trimaran warship, an innovative ship that he said will bring a new dimension of Navy warfare to the fleet.
The littoral combat ship, or LCS, is expected to be commissioned early next year.
At the christening, Doreen Scott, wife of 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry D. Scott, broke the champagne bottle on an upper rail of the Independence on her first try. Officials from a General Dynamics Corp.-led team that includes Austal USA and Bath Iron Works of Maine were on hand.
Rest of article about this $
600,000,000 POS:
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_lcs_christening_100508/%2e