The fourth of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships, the USS Coronado (LCS-4), has for the first time engaged in firing exercises against fast attack boats as part of testing to ensure its combat systems are ready to go, Naval Sea Systems Command says.
The testing took place Aug. 16 off the southern California coast and involved the MK 110 57mm gun, the main defense systems against high-speed surface threats. It also marks the first time the exercises have taken place with an Independence variant LCS.
The Coronado is the second of the Independence versions and is built by Austal USA. Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the prime contractor for the Freedom variant LCSs.
“The Independence variant has the ability to enter and win the fight.” Cmdr. Peter Kim, Coronado’s commanding officer, said in a statement released by NAVSEA Thursday.
The Coronado was commissioned in April, and completed Final Contract Trials in June, through which the ship and its major systems were exercised.