USS Independence (LCS 2) successfully completed a test event with the ship’s Mk 110 57 millimeter gun on May 20.
Held at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu Range, the test demonstrated Independence’s surface warfare capabilities by engaging a stationary target using the ship’s core combat system.
As part of the test plan, Independence crew members tracked a surface balloon, also known as a Killer Tomato, with SAFIRE, the ship’s electro-optical/infrared camera, and the Sea Giraffe radar prior to engaging the target with the 57 mm gun.
“I’m pleased with the outcome of this test on a number of levels. Not only did we validate the current combat system software and the procedures for safely firing the core weapon system, but the crew also received valuable training time, improving their proficiency with the ship’s sensors and weapons,” said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS program manager.
USS Independence, the lead ship of the Independence variant of littoral combat ships, will operate off the coast of Hawaii as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, in July. USS Freedom (LCS 1), the lead ship of the Freedom variant, participated in RIMPAC in 2010.
[mappress] Press Release, May 30, 2014; Image: Wikimedia