
The Navy has begun conducting “shock” tests for its new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to ensure they can survive underwater explosions.On July 16, the USS Jackson (LCS-6), an Independence-class ship built by Austal USA [ASB], underwent its third and final underwater blast off the coast of Florida. “The ship performed exceptionally well, sustaining minimal damage, and returned to port under her own power,” Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) said in a statement July 19.The tests, or full ship shock trials…