Monday, April 15, 2013

U.S. Navy's Newest Littoral Combat Ship Suffers Fire At Sea

The Coronado, seen at its christening in January 2012, is the fourth LCS for the U.S. Navy. (Austal USA)

Newest LCS Suffers Fire at Sea, Damage ‘Minor’ -- Defense News

WASHINGTON — Fire broke out aboard the littoral combat ship Coronado late Friday morning while the vessel was on its second day of sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, a U.S. Navy official confirmed Saturday.

No one was injured in the accident, and early indications are that the damage was minor, the official said.

The incident happened as the ship was conducting a full-power demonstration and running at high speed. Insulation on the starboard diesel exhaust first smoldered, then ignited but, according to the official, the flames were “extinguished immediately.”

Read more ....

Update #1: LCS-4 Trials Halted After Engine Fires -- Aviation Week
Update #2: Small fire breaks out on new warship -- UT San Diego

My Comment:
This happened on its second day of sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico .... and even though the fire was minor, it highlights the many problems that the LCS program has been experiencing.

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