The future USS Cooperstown (LCS-23) Littoral Combat Ship finished acceptance trials in Lake Michigan, prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] said Monday.
The trials included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of ship combat systems, as well as tests of aviation support, small boat handling, and recovery and machinery control and automation.
The next step for the ship is final outfitting and fine tuning before being delivered to the Navy in 2021.
The Cooperstown is the 12th Freedom-variant LCS built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, under Lockheed Martin as prime.
“LCS 23, like other Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships, delivers unique flexibility and capability to the U.S. Navy. Freedom-variant LCS are inherently capable, and they offer 40% reconfigurable hull space to evolve to future U.S. Navy missions. During acceptance trials, LCS 23 proved its maneuverability, automation and core combat capability,” Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for small combatants and ship systems, said in a statement.
The other delivered Freedom-variant LCSs are homeported in Mayport, Fla.