The U.S. Navy has informed that a ship of its much debated littoral combat program recently completed the Navy’s Total Ship Survivability Trial (TSST).
Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) performed the test off the coast of California, USA on January 28.
During the test event, the crew handled realistic damage simulations, including fire, smoke, electrical failure, flooding, ruptured piping, and structural failure.
The scenarios benefited the crew by offering realistic damage control training in preparation for Coronado’s maiden deployment later this year.
Captain Tom Anderson , littoral combat ship (LCS) program manager, said: “Initial indications are that Coronado’s performance met, and in multiple cases exceeded, the survivability requirements for this small surface combatant. I commend the crew for their exceptional performance and dedication while conducting this important test.”
The purpose of the TSST is to evaluate the ship’s systems and procedures following a simulated conventional weapon hit. The primary areas that are evaluated include the ship’s ability to contain and control damage, restore and continue mission capability, and care for personnel casualties. The test is also designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the survivability features inherent in a ship’s design.
The TSST, along with the Full Ship Shock Trial scheduled June 2016, is a component of the Live-Fire Test and Evaluation program.
Coronado is the second LCS of the Independence-variant built by Austal USA and is homeported in San Diego.