Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 23, the future USS Cooperstown, completed acceptance trials in Lake Michigan in December 2020. Unlike previous ships, the focused-mission LCS is designed to support multiple mission packages, including anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and surface warfare missions.

During trials, the ship proved its readiness to join the U.S. Navy fleet. Trials included a full-power run, maneuvering tests, and surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat systems. Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation facilities for an embarked helicopter and rigid-hull inflatable boats. Measures of success were approved by a combined board of U.S. Navy assessors and Austal USA test team members.

The Freedom-class LCS is one of two classes of the littoral combat ship program, built for the United States Navy. The Freedom-class was proposed by a consortium formed by Lockheed Martin as “prime contractor” and by Fincantieri as “design partner” for a surface combat ship based on the Italian “comandanti” design of the Italian Navy’s FREMM multipurpose frigate as a contender for the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) program.

With ships were approved, the competition with the Independence-class design offered by a consortium formed by General Dynamics and Austal USA for the U.S. Navy. The Freedom-class was proposed to be a “fast frigate” and by virtue of its arrowhead hull form, it boasts high-hemispheric radar and infrared signature reduction, a large flight deck, and easy access to the sea for mission packages, for amphibious operations, for a Surface Warfare Mission Package (SUW MP), two 11-meter (36 ft) rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and a stern door for launching and recovering vehicles.

The design incorporates a reconfigurable seaframe to allow rapidly interchangeable mission modules, a flight deck with integrated helicopter launch, recovery, and handling systems, and the capability to launch and recover boats (manned and unmanned) from both the stern and side.

The forward mission bay is 377 ft (115 m) in length, can take up to 3,500 metric tons (3,400 long tons), and can accommodate two large vehicle modules (LVMs), mission packages, or a mix of the two. The stern ramp is designed for launching 55 mm gun turret or mission modules. Despite its impressive specifications, the ship is a stealthy-seeming steed maneuverable with an aluminum superstructure linked by a austenitic stainless steel deck. It is 377 ft (115 m) in length, displaces 3,500 metric tons (3,400 long tons), and can achieve 47 kn (87 km/h; 54 mph).

The design incorporates a highly reconfigurable seaframe to allow rapidly interchangeable mission modules, a flight deck with integrated helicopter launch, recovery, and handling systems, and the capability to launch and recover boats (manned and unmanned) from both the stern and side. The fore deck has a mooring area that can hold up to two CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters. Rising up two decks, the galley is situated over the engineering room, well below the aircraft flight deck.

The design incorporates a reconfigurable seaframe to allow rapidly interchangeable mission modules, a flight deck with integrated helicopter launch, recovery, and handling systems, and the capability to launch and recover boats (manned and unmanned) from both the stern and side. The Freedom-class includes a reconfigurable bay for large-scale mission packages, reconfigurable after commissioning by 72-hour pre-planned maintenance. The mission package and aviation facilities are installed and tested at the shipyard before ship delivery, reducing risks to the fleet.

The ship features a highly survivable hull form, substantial shock protection, a flight deck that has the improved weapons handling system (IWHS) installed on the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship classes, and .50-caliber gun mounts are provided topside. Little to no protrusions are above the main deck level aft of frame 50. The hull form also incorporates a large turning radius which requires little compensation at slow speeds, resulting in much lower resistance and fuel consumption. Littoral Combat Ship 23, the future USS Cooperstown, has passed its trials with flying colors, showcasing its advanced readiness to execute versatile mission modules and serve as a true all-encompassing support platform for amphibious operations, rapid-reaction scenarios, and diverse mission sets.