USS Canberra (LCS-30) – Became the First US Warship Commissioned Overseas

For the first time, the commissioning or acceptance ceremony of warships in the United States Navy's arsenal took place overseas. This historic moment will occur specifically on the USS Canberra (Littoral Combat Ship/LCS-30) – Independence class, where the commissioning of USS Canberra will be carried out in Sydney, Australia.

Read: 'Tribute To War World II' – F-15E Strike Eagle Fighter Jet Performs With Heritage Paint Job

Quoting from contactairlandandsea.com, the USS Canberra commissioning schedule has been set for July 22, 2023 with a ceremony at the East Australian Naval Fleet Base in Sydney. After launch, the Litoral Litoral Combat Ship - USS Canberra (LCS-30) departed from San Diego to perform routine off the coast of California.

The commissioning will be the US Navy's first ceremony in a foreign port – and the only ship in the US Navy to be named for a non-US capital. And uniquely, it will also be the second US Navy ship to bear the Canberra name in the US Navy fleet.

US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said he could think of no better way to mark the US' enduring partnership with Australia than celebrating the US Navy's newest warship named after the Australian capital, and commissioning at the East Australian Naval Fleet Base.

Australian Navy Chief Vice Adm. Mark Hammond said the historic event embodied the depth of the historic relationship, and the modern partnership between the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy, with the US and Australia already bound by the AUKUS defense pact.

“On 9 August 1942, Royal Australian Navy heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra was badly damaged off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, while protecting US Marines fighting ashore.

“In a surprise attack by the powerful Japanese navy, Canberra was hit 24 times in less than two minutes and 84 of her crew died, including Captain Frank Getting.

“I am looking forward to welcoming the US Navy and the crew of the USS Canberra to Australia, and we are honored to host the US Navy's first international commissioning. "It will be a historic event to see USS Canberra and HMAS Canberra side by side in Sydney."

The first USS Canberra (CA-70/CAG-2) was named at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra for her brave actions during the Battle of Savo Island which took place from 7 to 9 August 1942.

Meanwhile, USS Canberra (LCS-30) was built in Mobile, Alabama by Austal USA. This trimaran design warship was launched on March 30, 2021. The LCS Independence Class adopts an aluminum hull and a trimaran design. 

The choice of aluminum was clearly intended to increase the maneuverability and speed of the Independence Class, and is also linked to the type's origins as a high-speed ship design.

The LCS Independence class is 127.6 meters long, 31.6 meters wide, has a draft of 6 meters and displaces 8,800 tons, has a maximum speed of 44 knots (81 km per hour). In one voyage with full provisions, this ship can explore as far as 7,964 km at a cruising speed of 18 knots (33 km per hour).

This ship has a deck for helicopters that is quite wide, so that this littoral warship can accommodate heavy transport helicopters of the CH-53 Super Stallion class. 

Read: Minimizing Radar Detection, Russia Uses Drones Made of Wood

During a visit to Indonesia, the USS Coronado was seen carrying an MH-60R/S Seahawk unit. In addition, this warship also carries two MQ-8B Fire Scouts or MQ-8C Fire Scout drone helicopters.

Follow Daily Post on Google News to update information quickly. Thank you for visiting our website..!! Don't forget to share any information to help develop our website..