USS Montgomery completes combat system qualifications

US Navy’s Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) has completed combat system ship qualification trials (CSSQT), the US Navy announced.

During the qualification, which concluded July 1, several trials validated the performance of the combat systems suite.

The tests involved firing exercises with the crew using their Bofors 57mm gun against a fast attack craft. The exercise is designed to test the ship’s ability to track and disable high-speed maneuvering surface targets. The ALEX decoy launching system was also tested.

“The entire Montgomery team has put a lot of hard work and dedication into completing all the required inspections and trials,” said Cmdr. Wayne Liebold, Montgomery’s commanding officer. “I am proud of their accomplishments and we look forward to bringing Montgomery’s combat power to the fleet as an operational asset.”

With the trials finished, Montgomery will focus on training and certifying for deployment, as well as completing any required missions over the next year.

Montgomery is homeported in San Diego, and is undergoing routine maintenance and training in preparation for deployment.