USS Coronado (LCS 4)

The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Coronado (LCS 4) is rolled-out at the Austal USA assembly bay. Coronado is scheduled to be christened Jan. 14, 2012 and will undergo sea trials later this year. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Austal USA/Released)

USS Coronado (LCS 4)

The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Coronado (LCS 4) is rolled-out at the Austal USA assembly bay. Coronado is scheduled to be christened Jan. 14, 2012 and will undergo sea trials later this year. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Austal USA/Released)

USS Fort Worth (LCS 3)

The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Fort Worth (LCS 3) is underway in Green Bay, Wis. Fort Worth is undergoing builder's trials at the Marinette Marine Corporation Shipyard before delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2012. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Marinette Marine Corporation/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) departs Naval Station Norfolk as the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) departs for sea trials. Enterprise is underway for sea trials after spending more than two years in a maintenance period at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Stephen White/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) is moored pier side in Key West, Fla. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justan Williams/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) transits Narragansett Bay en route to participate in the 20th International Seapower Symposium at the U.S. Naval War College. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jason Salata/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) makes preparations at Naval Air Station Pensacola before getting underway in the Gulf of Mexico for a series of drills and training exercises. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Caleb White/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) takes on fuel at Pier 9 from a Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Norfolk Fuels Department barge. The ship was issued 64,243 gallons of diesel fuel. FISC Norfolk issues 216 million gallons of fuel annually in support of U.S. 2nd Fleet ships and aircraft. (U. S. Navy photo by Bill Pointer/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) enters Port Everglades for the start of Fleet Week Port Everglades. This is the twentieth Fleet Week Port Everglades, South Florida's annual celebration of the Maritime Services. More than 2,500 American and German sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will participate in a number of community outreach activities and enjoy the hospitality and tourism of South Florida.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) is pier side during a port visit to Key West, Fla. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before transiting to its homeport in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Zachary Harrell/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) is pier side during a port visit to Key West, Fla. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before transiting to its homeport in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Zachary Harrell/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The Littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) approaches Mayport, Fla. Independence is in the Atlantic Ocean on her maiden underway. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justan Williams/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2), approaches Naval Station Mayport for a port call. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary Granger Jr./Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives in Naval Station Mayport. Independence is enroute to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert A. Wood Sr./Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West. Independence is on the way to Norfolk, Va., for commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel before sailing to its homeport in San Diego. Independence is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including surface craft, diesel submarines and mines. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Nicholas Kontodiakos/Released)

USS Independence (LCS 2)

The new littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2) is pier side during her commissioning ceremony. Independence is the second of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Tiffini Jones Vanderwyst/Released)

USS Freedom (LCS 1)

July 28, 2008 when the nation’s first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), was put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder’s Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

USS Freedom (LCS 1)

July 29, 2008 when the nation’s first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), was put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder’s Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

USS Freedom (LCS 1)

The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is moored at the Port of Colon during a maintenance availability. Freedom is conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ed Early/Released)>

USS Freedom (LCS 1)

The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is moored at the Port of Colon during a maintenance availability. Freedom is conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Lt. Ed Early/Released)