The seventh Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Wichita (LCS-13), finished its acceptance trials last week, prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] said Friday.

Freedom-variant LCSs are built by Fincantieri’s Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. LCS-13 is now expected to be delivered to the Navy later this summer.

The future USS Wichita (LCS-13) conducts acceptance trials in Lake Michigan in July 2018. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The future USS Wichita (LCS-13) conducts acceptance trials in Lake Michigan in July 2018. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The acceptance trials ran from July 9-12 on Lake Michigan and included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of ship combat systems. The ship also demonstrated aviation support and small boat launch and recovery capabilities.

Acceptance trials are usually conducted in-port and while underway to demonstrate capabilities to the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. They are usually the last major milestone before a ship is delivered to the Navy.

“LCS 13’s completion of Acceptance Trials means this ship is one step closer to joining the fleet and conducting critical maritime operations for the Navy,” Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president for Small Combatants and Ship Systems, said in a statement.

The company said seven other ships are in various production and test stages at Marinette Marine and an additional ship is in long-lead production.

The next LCS being built at the shipyard, the future USS Billings (LCS-15), is expected to finish sea trials later this year.

The last Freedom-variant LCS, the future USS Sioux City (LCS-11), completed its acceptance trials in May (Defense Daily, May 31). Both LCS-11 and LCS-13 are planned to be homeported at Mayport Naval Station, Fla.