General Dynamics Team-built Independence (LCS 2) is Christened

MOBILE, Ala. --- The first Littoral Combat Ship built by the General Dynamics Team, Independence, was christened today at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile Bay.>> U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama was the principal speaker. Other speakers included Donald Winter, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, and U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner of Alabama. Doreen A. Scott, wife of former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott, ceremonially named the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its hull.>> The Littoral Combat Ship is a key element of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats of the twenty-first century. Intended to operate in coastal areas of the globe, the ship will be fast, highly maneuverable and geared to supporting mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, particularly against small surface craft.>> The LCS 2 is the sixth U.S. Navy ship to be named Independence. Earlier ships were named for the attribute or abstract noun "independence." The Navy will name its class of Littoral Combat Ships after towns or small cities.>> The Independence moved from the Austal building hall to the water in April 2008 and entered the final stages of construction, including completion of outfitting, tests and system activation. The General Dynamics Team expects to deliver Independence to the Navy in 2009.>> General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is the prime contractor for the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team. Partners include Austal USA (Mobile, AL); BAE Systems (Rockville, MD); General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (Fairfax, Va.); L3 Communications Marine Systems (Leesburg, VA); Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (Baltimore, MD); and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (Baltimore, MD).