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General Dynamics' Independence Begins Acceptance Trials Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 DEFENSE DAILY 17 NOV 09 By Geoff Fein General Dynamics' [GD] Littoral Combat Ship Independence began her acceptance trials yesterday, the final steps before the Navy takes delivery of the vessel. "Independence (LCS 2) commenced the underway portion of Acceptance Trials today. Acceptance Trials are the first opportunity for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) to test the ship and its systems," Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) said yesterday. "INSURV will test the ship's main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, damage control, combat systems, navigation and auxiliary systems. The trials are scheduled to complete this week. Additional details on the results will be made available at that time." Independence is an all-aluminum trimaran and was built at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. General Dynamics wrapped up builder's trials for Independence in October. The team of GD and Austal USA expect to deliver the ship to the Navy before the end of the year. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is the prime contractor for the company's LCS. Other team members include BAE Systems; L-3 Communications [LLL]; Maritime Applied Physics Corp.; and Northrop Grumman [NOC] Electronic Systems. Lockheed Martin [LMT] is leading a second effort to build a LCS. That team delivered its ship, the USS Freedom (LCS-1), to the Navy last fall. Return to News