The US Navy's Freedom-class variant USS Detroit littoral combat ship (LCS 7) has successfully completed acceptance trial, prior to future deployment.

The trial, which follows a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations, evaluated the ship's propulsion plant, shiphandling and auxiliary systems.

The ship also performed launch and recovery operations of the 11m-long rigid hull inflatable boat, conducted surface and air self-defence detect-to-engage exercises, and demonstrated the ship's manoeuvrability.

US Navy LCS programme manager captain Tom Anderson said: "Another thorough trial by the Board of Inspection and Survey, and another ship with improved scores and at a lower cost than her predecessor.

"Detroit's performance during acceptance trial is a testament to the hard work of the Marinette workforce. I look forward to placing the ship in the capable hands of her crew later this summer."

Expected to enter service with the navy later this year, LCS 7 will sail to California to be homeported in San Diego along with sister ships USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and USS Milwaukee (LCS 5).

The LCS is a reconfigurable ship that can be used in surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare.

"Another thorough trial by the Board of Inspection and Survey, and another ship with improved scores and at a lower cost than her predecessor."

Future USS Little Rock (LCS 9) is preparing for builder's trials, while USS Sioux City (LCS 11) is currently conducting system testing in preparation for trials in 2017.

The navy's USS Wichita (LCS 13) will be launched later this year, USS Billings (LCS 15) laid her keel in November 2015 and sister ship USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) started fabrication in August 2015 and laid her keel in July.

Additional ships in the pre-production phase include future USS St. Louis (LCS 19), future USS Minneapolis/St. Paul (LCS 21), future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) and to-be-named future LCS 25.

Image: Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks with media after the christening ceremony of LCS 7. Photo: courtesy of US Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers / Released.