THE TENSION: Photo Essay: US Navy's New Littoral Combat Ship Independence (LCS 2)

GULF OF MEXICO (July 2, 2009) The littoral combat ship Independence (LCS 2) underway during builder's trials. Builder's trials are the first opportunity for the shipbuilder and the U.S. Navy to operate the ship underway, and provide an opportunity to test and correct issues before acceptance trials. (Photo courtesy Dennis Griggs General Dynamics.)

MOBILE, Ala. (July 2, 2009) The littoral combat ship Independence (LCS 2) prepares for builder's trials from the Austal USA shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala. Builder's trials is the first opportunity for the shipbuilder and the U.S. Navy to operate the ship underway, and provides an opportunity to test and correct issues prior to acceptance trials. (Photo courtesy Dave Hinds General Dynamics.)

GULF OF MEXICO (July 2, 2009) The littoral combat ship Independence (LCS 2) underway during builder's trials. Builder's trials is the first opportunity for the shipbuilder and the U.S. Navy to operate the ship underway, and provides an opportunity to test and correct issues prior to acceptance trials, and will include demonstration to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). (Photo courtesy Dennis Griggs General Dynamics.)

MOBILE, Ala. (July 2, 2009) The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Independence (LCS 2), the U. S. Navy's first trimaran littoral combat ship, departs Mobile, Ala. to begin builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico July 2, 2009. LCS is a fast, agile, focused-mission ship designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 417-foot Independence is designed and built by the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship team. Builder's trials test the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and core mission systems, as well as all related support systems. Following the completion of builder's trials, Independence will prepare for acceptance trials that will be conducted by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey later this summer. Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly. These mission packages focus on three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Independence is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later this year and will be home ported in San Diego, Calif. (Photo courtesy of General Dynamics.)

Independence in front of construction shed a few days after launch. (Photo by Donovan Ravenhull.)

The littoral combat ship Independence (LCS 2) is the second ship in a new design of next-generation combat vessel for close-to-shore operations is seen here in this May 2008 file photo. The ship will have a crew of less than 40 Sailors and will be able to reach a sustained speed of more than 50 knots. The larger flight deck will accommodate two SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters or one CH-53-class helicopter. (U.S. Navy Photo.)

Recently Added Images: Littoral Combat Ship Independence (LCS 2) Builder's Trials