Shock trials for LCS-6

The Littoral Combat Ship program will reach multiple milestones this year. In early June, the Gulf Coast-built USS Jackson (LCS-6) will become the first LCS since 2008 to undergo full-ship shock trials. Two additional rounds would follow in two-week intervals on the Independence variant, according to outgoing program executive Rear Adm. Brian Antonio. The Freedom variant USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) will undergo the same tests later in the summer. The last time the Navy conducted live shock trials was with the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19). USS Coronado (LCS-4) and USS Freedom (LCS-1) will participate in Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii this summer. Coronado will demonstrate an over-the-horizon missile capability before heading on its first deployment to Singapore. Freedom will demonstrate an expeditionary mine-warfare package consisting of legacy MCM systems. (Source: US Naval Institute News 05/06/16) Gulf Coast note: The Independence variant of LCS is built at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala.