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USS Abraham Lincoln Conducts Live-Fire Drills in South China Sea

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln conducted live-fire exercises in the South China Sea on January 8, 2026, as part of routine carrier strike group operations to validate its CIWS against immediate threats.
The exercises tested the carrier's layered defenses, including CIWS, Sea Sparrow missiles, and Rolling Airframe Missile systems.
The drills bolster combat readiness and deter adversaries, supporting freedom of navigation in the region.

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Story summary

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln conducted live-fire exercises in the South China Sea on January 8, 2026, as part of routine carrier strike group operations to validate its CIWS against immediate threats.
The exercises tested the carrier's layered defenses, including CIWS, Sea Sparrow missiles, and Rolling Airframe Missile systems.
The drills bolster combat readiness and deter adversaries, supporting freedom of navigation in the region.