USS Tulsa LCS 16 Keel Laying

Ship sponsor Kathy Taylor authenticates the keel of the future USS Tulsa (LCS 16) by welding her initials onto a aluminum plate that will be placed in the hull of the ship. (Photo Credit: Austal USA)


Open architecture in the Independence class Littoral Combat Ships allows U.S. Navy to cost-effectively update technology in a rapidly advancing marketplace.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. The keel-laying ceremony for the future USS Tulsa (LCS 16) was held on January 11, in Mobile, Alabama. This ship, built by AUSTAL, is one of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that is built on General Dynamics Mission Systems’ open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI).

OPEN CI allows the U.S. Navy to deliver mission capability when and wherever its needed, as well as deploy new and updated technology as it advances. OPEN CI provides fast and flexible solutions for increasingly complex missions at a cost effective price. The Independence-Variant LCS is mission-driven, and OPEN CI allows personnel to display information on any monitor throughout the ship.

The Independence-variant LCS and the open architecture system together provide adaptable and highly-capable command for coordinated air, surface, and undersea tactical missions.

Click here to see Austal USA's full press release.

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