As a result of the ship’s proven performance, the Navy is planning to deploy USS Freedom (LCS 1) two years earlier than planned. USS Freedom (LCS 1) is currently at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., conducting final preparations for her maiden deployment mid-February.
USS Freedom (LCS 1) will sail in the U.S. Southern Command areas of responsibility. The Navy expects to test the operational utility of USS Freedom (LCS 1) and integrate those lessons as she is introduced to the USN surface fleet.
The Navy envisions LCS deploying with interchangeable mission packages for surface warfare, mine countermeasure, antisubmarine warfare and maritime security. These tailored packages allow LCS to fulfill several, specific missions.
The ship will deploy with a tailored surface-warfare mission package, including a prototype maritime security module that will provide the crew with a 20-sailor Coast Guard detachment in two visit, board, search and seizure teams, in addition to its 75 crew members at some point in its deployment.
USS Freedom (LCS 1)’s deployment will conclude later this spring when she arrives in her new San Diego homeport.
USS Freedom (LCS 1)’s capabilities have been fully demonstrated since the ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008. She has sailed more than 8,000 nm, successfully completed sea trials, helicopter landings and certification, ship handling/refueling, weapons firings and certifications, combat system and exterior/interior communications, small boat launch and recovery and Surface Warfare mission-package testing.
Lockheed Martin’s proven design features the best balance of capability across all LCS requirements (speed, survivability, payload, range, etc.) in a survivable warship. Our design is supportable worldwide, without needing special facilities or maintenance capabilities.
As a result of the ship’s proven performance, the Navy is planning to deploy USS Freedom (LCS 1) two years earlier than planned. Freedom is set to deploy in Spring 2010. She will sail in the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Southern Command areas of responsibility. The Navy expects to test the operational utility of Freedom and integrate those lessons as she is introduced to the USN surface fleet.
The Navy envisions LCS deploying with interchangeable mission packages for surface, mine and antisubmarine warfare. The packages are purchased separately and can be swapped on and off the vessels. The ship will deploy with a tailored surface-warfare mission package, including a prototype maritime security module that will provide the crew with a 20-sailor Coast Guard detachment in two visit, board, search and seizure teams, in addition to its 75 crew members at some point in its deployment.
Freedom’s Blue Crew has been working up for the deployment at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., training with the boarding teams. Freedom’s Gold Crew will then take over and sail the ship for its deployment. The Gold Crew will keep the ship for the 2010 mission and take it to its home port of Naval Base San Diego.
Freedom conducted independent ship deployment training and certifications at sea in November 2009, operating with ships from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group during their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the southeastern coast of the United States. Freedom conducted effective complex training as part of the Maritime Security Surge certification for the ship’s Gold Crew.
Freedom will conduct additional system testing and training before it heads into its final Integrated/Advanced Phase training with the U.S. Coast Guard in January 2010.
USS Freedom’s capabilities have been fully demonstrated since the ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008. She has sailed more than 8,000 nm, successfully completed sea trials, helicopter landings and certification, ship handling/refueling, weapons firings and certifications, combat system and exterior/interior communications, small boat launch and recovery and Surface Warfare mission-package testing.
Lockheed Martin’s proven design features the best balance of capability across all LCS requirements (speed, survivability, payload, range, etc.) in a survivable warship. Our design is supportable worldwide, without needing special facilities or maintenance capabilities.
26 people like this post.
