By Geoff Fein
Lockheed Martin’s [LMT] Freedom (LCS-1), the first of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)-class, has seen a 4 percent weight gain, but there has been no impact to the ship’s stability or responsiveness, the Navy said.
Last week, it was first reported by Reuters that LCS-1 had seen a weight gain.
Most of the added weight was due to concurrent design and build as a result of the accelerated LCS schedule, a source told Defense Daily last week (Defense Daily, Oct. 17).
The Navy does not yet know if they will see any similar issue with General Dynamics‘ [GD] Independence (LCS-2). Although the ship was just christened, Independence has not yet begun builder’s or sea trials.
A 4 percent increase in Freedom‘s weight isn’t cause for concern, the Navy said.
“As we have said before, during trials LCS-1 Freedom demonstrated exceptional speed, stable riding characteristics, and ship handling responsiveness,” Lt. Clayton Doss, a Navy spokesman, said. “Freedom‘s maneuverability in restricted waters was outstanding. Open water maneuverability ahead and astern at the full range of ship speeds exceeded expectations.”
In fact, weight gain is fairly common in first-of-class ships, according to the Navy and a source familiar with ship weight issues.
“Through a combination of operating procedures and specific targeted weight and stability adjustments, the Navy will be able to safely operate LCS-1 in its current weight condition,” Doss added.
Operational procedures will include securing watertight boundary doors between the mission zones while underway, and controlling the sequence of fuel usage in various tanks, Doss added. Controlling fuel usage is in line with procedures implemented in the past when a ship does not meet the required damage stability standards.
The Navy has identified modifications for Freedom that will be implemented to ensure the ship can meet its requirements for damaged stability to include minor redesign to one compartment and the enclosure of some unused space just under the main deck, Doss said.
“Final analysis of the modifications is underway and will be implemented during two post delivery availabilities over the next six months, before Freedom begins testing with her mission package payloads,” he said. “These modifications will be included during the construction of the next LCS ship of this design.”