Independence completes acceptance trials; now 1 step closer to delivery

The littoral combat ship Independence this week successfully completed acceptance trials, the last set of tests before the vessel is handed over to the U.S. Navy, the Navy said Thursday.

Delivery is expected in December, and the ship is scheduled to be commissioned in Mobile on Jan. 16. At that time it will officially become the USS Independence before heading to its homeport in San Diego and going into service.

"Independence performed extremely well during trials," Rear Adm. James Murdoch, LCS program manager, said in a statement. "LCS 2 conducted two outstanding days at sea. We look forward to delivering this critical asset to the fleet."

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