USS Canberra (LCS 30) Acceptance Trials at Austal USA, Mobile AL

USS Canberra (LCS30) is the 15th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship designed and constructed for the United States Navy by Austal USA. This video shows the start of acceptance trials for the vessel, held off Mobile, Alabama.

[@IFlyHeliz]

That is a beautiful ship

[@2pi628]

Hi fellas! The last time I saw the ship the bow was sitting on the skid being steered into the hanger for the gun to be mounted. Y'all did a fine job of piecing that beast together. Bravo!!

[@RandomAussieGuy87]

How appropriate that a ship made by an Australian company is called Canberra.

[@geoffcrumblin9850]

The second to bear that name. If I recall, the previous one went down in the west pacific, maybe mindinao.

[@donkoh5738]

@G Cru...

[@johntinnock5937]

@@donkoh5738 the heavy cruiser was named after the Australian WW2 cruiser that was sunk providing covering fire for the survivor of i think it was the USS Chicago, the royal navy even loaned the RAN a cruiser of the same class to replace her, which is how Australia had a ship named after an English county.

[@donkoh5738]

@@johntinnock5937 I was just clarifying some of the history for Geoff there above that the 1st USS Canberra was not lost off the coast of Australia, as that ship was different as already noted, but yes this will apparently be the 2nd USN ship to be named Canberra and yes it's a beautiful looking ship indeed. cheers

[@donkoh5738]

There's so much potential conversion & modification growth with this basic hull design, imho. I'd personally advocate for USN policymaking deciders to honestly ponder another 20 +/- accelerated hulls built in evolutionary, incremental, modified design enhancements to exponentially boost the aggregate capability and cost-effective value for this build as a stopgap solution... Thinking: extended rear super structure converted to house various fixed sideways aimed Launch systems? An additional rear deck mounted turret of some sort, perhaps a Rheinmetall concept of some sort? How about an elevator system incorporated into the rear deck to lift tactical MQ-8 type platforms from storage below? Rear-deck integrated VLS tubes along the edges for ASROC?? And of course the basic generator capacity added below as well, to power the standard self-protection DEW systems ? A properly equipped and coverted Independence ++ class hull could imho not only perform critical Fleet-force-protection and Escort role, but also as a competent, valid stand-alone modern-era presence Naval vessel 🗯 . (edit: respects to Austal and AUS from the other side of the world)

[@peterl3282]

You see the spots forward of the bridge for the 8 Naval Strike Missile ASCMs. Plus there is the Surface to Surface module for the Hellfire point defense anti-FIAC system just aft of the gun. I think they may add SLQ-32 SEWIP antennas abaft the hangar for enhanced ESM as well as Nulka decoys. I might upgrade the radar to the TRS-4D (SPS-80) and switch the combat system to COMBATTS-21 (Aegis lite). Add the SQS-62 variable depth sonar aft. That would be teamed up with AQS-22 dipping sonar from the MH-60R helo. The FREMM ships say this is a world-beating capability; they use the CAPTAS 4 low frequency active VDS, a close cousin to our planned SQS-62. Your ASW weapons delivery will come from the air. Now you've got a nice little pocket frigate. I can't see anything beyond that.

[@donkoh5738]

@@peterl3282 thanks for reply. Yes , the Independence class needs a modern VDS as a standard baseline built-in. Dipping sonar could be from the H-60 from any number of ships with a helo pad in area, or unmanned force-protection sea-based surface vessels too. Your basic outline for the electronics side should be part of a standard baseline for a basic minimal modern surface combatant like an Independence class hull, yes. It would still have insufficient armaments, thus my advocacy for more radical robust conversion and modification to basic hull design layout to transform it into a credible cost-effective fleet force multiplier of higher level. e.g., ASROC VLS integrated along edges or massive rear deck real estate as one such mod. Similar to Jpn Maritime Helicopter Destroyer hull design integration. Then go from there with innovative tube based additions, + DEW & possible elevator for buoy dropping MQ-8 type drones stored below? Lots of radical modern growth potential, for basic Independence hull design future acquisition was the point. imho . thanks for discussion 🗯

[@roncate4737]

Wonder if you could ‘drop anchor and RAM…..!’ With that front bow?

[@jacobb3130]

Is this ship going to crack? Waste of taxpayers dollars. Thanks