In this image provided by General Dynamics and released by the US NAvy, the Pre-Commissioning ship Independence, the US Navy's first trimaran combat ship, departs Mobile, Alabama to begin builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico July 2, 2009. The 417-foot Independence is designed and built by the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship team. Builder's trials test the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and core mission systems, as well as all related support systems. Following the builder's trials, Independence will prepare for acceptance trials that will be conducted by the US Navy. Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads in three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Independence is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later in 2009 and will be home ported in San Diego, California. Getty Images logo Getty Images 4 months ago

In this image provided by General Dynamics and released by the US NAvy, the Pre-Commissioning ship Independence, the US Navy's first trimaran combat ship, departs Mobile, Alabama to begin builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico July 2, 2009. The 417-foot Independence is designed and built by the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship team. Builder's trials test the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and core mission systems, as well as all related support systems. Following the builder's trials, Independence will prepare for acceptance trials that will be conducted by the US Navy. Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads in three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Independence is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later in 2009 and will be home ported in San Diego, California.

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