SAN DIEGO- USS Coronado (LCS 4) successfully completed
the Navy's Total Ship Survivability Trial (TSST) off the coast of California,
Jan. 28.
During the test event, the crew handled realistic damage
simulations, including fire, smoke, electrical failure, flooding, ruptured
piping and structural failure. The scenarios benefitted the crew by offering
realistic damage control training in preparation for Coronado's maiden
deployment later this year.
"Initial indications are that Coronado's performance
met, and in multiple cases exceeded, the survivability requirements for this
small surface combatant," said Capt. Tom Anderson, LCS program manager.
"I commend the crew for their exceptional performance and dedication while
conducting this important test."
The purpose of the TSST is to evaluate the ship's systems
and procedures following a simulated conventional weapon hit. The primary areas
that are evaluated include the ship's ability to contain and control damage,
restore and continue mission capability, and care for personnel casualties. The
test is also designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the survivability
features inherent in a ship's design.
"The experience provided the crew, through realistic
scenarios, an appreciation for what it would take to operate following battle
damage onboard an Independence variant warship," said Cmdr. Troy A.
Fendrick, commanding officer of Coronado. "It also provided Sailors, from
the deckplate level, the opportunity to provide critical input to the LCS
program office which will result in the improvement of overall ship
survivability."
The TSST, along with the Full Ship Shock Trial scheduled
for June 2016, is a component of the Live Fire Test and Evaluation program.
Coronado is the second LCS of the Independence variant
built by Austal USA and is homeported in San Diego.
LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship, with three types
of mission packages including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and
anti-submarine warfare. The Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships (PEO
LCS) is responsible for delivering and sustaining littoral mission capabilities
to the fleet. Delivering high-quality warfighting assets while balancing
affordability and capability is key to supporting the nation's maritime
strategy.
For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit
www.navy.mil/local/navsea/
- NAVSEA -