The propulsion plant of the US’ first Littoral Combat Ship, ‘Freedom’ (LCS 1), has completed testing in preparation for dock trials at Marinette, USA.
The ship is now ready to begin dock trials, the final stage of testing before underway trials. “’Freedom’ is now exercising her propulsion train to the full extent possible in port, running the gas turbines and diesel engines; spinning shafts and pumping water through the steerable water jets,” said Dan Schultz, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Maritime Security & Ship Systems line of business. “We are looking forward to beginning underway trials in the lakes and demonstrating the capabilities this unique ship will bring to the US Navy.” The agile 115-metre ’Freedom’ is powered by an innovative, combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion plant, with steerable water jet propulsion. This system will power the ship at cruise speeds out to ranges exceeding 3,500 nautical miles and will also allow the ship to sustain sprint speeds over 40 knots. Dock trials includes a series of demonstrations of propulsion, navigation, communication and other systems conducted to ensure the ship is ready for sea trials. There has been rapid progress on ’Freedom’ since the beginning of the year. The two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engines, the largest and most powerful ever installed on a Navy ship, were successfully lit off and tested in May, as were the steerable Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jets.
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