Navy takes delivery of another littoral combat ship

The Navy took delivery of the future USS Canberra (LCS 30) at Austal USA on Dec. 21. The 421'6"x103.7' aluminum trimaran vessel is the second Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) Austal has delivered to the Navy in 2021.

Acceptance trials for LCS 30 were completed in early November demonstrating to the Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. Delivery documents were signed onboard the USS Canberra and the crew will now begin preparing the ship for her commissioning into the fleet.

Main propulsion for LCS 30 comes from twin GE LM2500 and two MTU 20V 8000 marine engines connected to four Wärtsilä steerable waterjets. Running speed is 40 knots.

Four LCSes, which have a 15.1' draft, are currently under construction including the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). Final assembly is underway on the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) and modules are under construction on the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) and the future USS Pierre (LCS 38).

“With two ship launches, two christenings, and now the successful completion of sea trials and delivery for LCS 30, it has been a busy last couple of months at Austal USA,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said in a statement. “All of these milestones require extensive coordination between Austal, our vendors, and our Navy teammates and I’m proud to say that these partnerships grow stronger with each milestone achievement.” 

Two expeditionary fast transports are also under construction at the shipyard, with a third under contract. In October, Austal USA was awarded a contract for the detailed design and construction of two Navy towing, salvage, and rescue ships (T-ATS), the first contract for Austal’s new steel construction facility.

In addition, Austal has recently been awarded several post-delivery service-related contracts for the LCS program. 

The shipyard also announced earlier this week that the company reached a final agreement to establish a ship repair facility in the Port of San Diego — a 15-acre waterfront site to focus on ship repair for Navy, Military Sealift Command, and Coast Guard ships that will include a newly-built floating drydock optimized to service small surface combatants and other small to midsize ships.