The US Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) has set sail towards its homeport in San Diego, California, following the completion of repairs to its propulsion systems at Changi Naval Base in Singapore.

USS Fort Worth will travel across the Pacific Ocean using both main propulsion diesel engines, which will reduce the number of underway refuelling operations the ship will need during the journey.

Prior to its journey, certain assessments were conducted to ensure that the ship and crew were ready to return to a fully operational status.

The assessments involved a damage control material assessment (DCMA), light-off assessment (LOA), type commander material inspection and sea trials.

USS Fort Worth commanding officer commander Michael Brasseur said: "I'm very proud of the entire team and our efforts over the past few months as we have worked to get Fort Worth back on line.

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"It's been a lot of hard work, but our team has performed beyond expectations and we are excited to get this ship back to sea and ultimately return home to San Diego."

In January, the LCS was grounded after it suffered damage to its combining gear.

"The repairs took less time and cost less than originally expected."

The US Navy announced that the ship will undergo repair work at its homeport of San Diego in April.

However, the repairs carried out in Singapore will now allow the LCS to journey to its homeport normally.

A statement on the US Navy website read: “Damage to the ship’s combining gears was less extensive than initial investigations suggested.

"A full assessment revealed that only three bearings needed to be replaced, and the repairs took less time and cost less than originally expected.”

Meanwhile, reports emerged that the USS Coronado (LCS 4) will replace Fort Worth as the rotationally deployed LCS in Singapore.

Image: USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departs Changi Naval Base, Singapore. Photo: courtesy of US Navy / MC3 Madailein Abbott.