Independence LCS 2

Independence LCS 2

General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team Launches Independence (LCS 2) BATH, Maine – The General Dynamics LCS Team completed launching its first Littoral Combat Ship, Independence (LCS 2) from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. on April 28, 2008. The ship, an innovative high-speed trimaran, is moored at Austal’s facility where final outfitting, testing and system activation will proceed in the coming months in preparation for sea trials later this year.

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Independence (LCS 2) rolls out via rail transfer system from the Austal USA building site onto floating drydock in the Mobile River. (April 26, 2008)	The roll-out process nears completion as the stern of Independence (LCS 2) crosses the threshold of the drydock. (April 26, 2008)
LCS2 Photo 1	LCS2 Photo 2



With mast in place, Independence (LCS 2) is floated off into the Mobile River. (April 28, 2008)	The GD LCS Team’s first Littoral Combat Ship, Independence (LCS 2) is moored at Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama and will complete outfitting, test and system activation activities in preparation for sea trials later this year. (April 28, 2008)
LCS2 Photo 3	LCS2 Photo 4


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). Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, is a leading designer and builder of complex surface combatants for the U.S. Navy and employs approximately 5,900 people. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 83,500 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com. Photo credits to Austal USA.