Alabama-built warship tops out at more than 50 mph

[October 22, 2009]  MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- The second of the Navy's new generation of speedy warships designed to operate close to shore topped 50 mph in builder trials completed this month.

Officials say the Independence, a 418-foot ship built in Alabama, traveled in excess of 45 knots, which equates to nearly 52 mph, and sustained 44 knots during a four-hour, full-speed sprint.

The so-called littoral combat ship is the second of two competing designs. The one built by Austal in Mobile, Ala., features a tri-hull design. The lead contractor is Maine's Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics subsidiary.

The competing ship, Freedom, features a more traditional hull and was built by a team led by Lockheed Martin. It will go into service next year. Eventually, the Navy wants to build up to 55 of the ships.

[Associated Press]

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