Alabama-built warship tops out at more than 50 mph
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Posted: 6:26 AM Oct 22, 2009
Alabama-built warship tops out at more than 50 mph
The second of the Navy's new generation of speedy warships designed to operate close to shore topped 50 mph in builder trials completed this month.
Reporter: Associated Press
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Japanese destroyer Harusame sails off Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo, leaving for Somalia Monday, July 6, 2009. Two Japanese navy destroyers, Harusame and Amagiri, left Japan to join an international anti-piracy mission off the Somali coast to provide a greater role under a new law taking effect in time for arrival in the waters to replace their fellow crewmembers. They are expected to reach Somali waters in late July. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) ** JAPAN OUT MANDATORY CREDIT FOR COMMERCIAL USE ONLY IN NORTH AMERICA **
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MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - The second of the Navy's new generation of speedy warships designed to operate close to shore topped 50 mph in builder trials completed this month.

Officials say the Independence, a 418-foot ship built in
Alabama, traveled in excess of 45 knots, which equates to nearly 52
mph, and sustained 44 knots during a four-hour, full-speed sprint.
The so-called littoral combat ship is the second of two competing designs. The one built by Austal in Mobile, Ala., features a tri-hull design. The lead contractor is Maine's Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics subsidiary.

The competing ship, Freedom, features a more traditional hull and was built by a team led by Lockheed Martin. It will go into
service next year. Eventually, the Navy wants to build up to 55 of
the ships.

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