[13] The ship will also feature automated sensors to allow "conditions-based maintenance" and reduce crew overwork and fatigue issues that Freedom had on her first deployment.

Over the 2015 Labor Day weekend holiday, it was reported that Milwaukee generated waves greater than five feet tall during test runs near Door County's Chambers Island which damaged more than 40 boats.

[21] One of the improvements for Milwaukee was specially designed waterjets that replace the commercial versions used on previous Littoral Combat Ships.

[22] Ultimately, this design plan failed and the ship was decommissioned after combing gear failures and less than 8 years of service.

[23] On 11 December 2015, on its way to San Diego from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the vessel experienced a "complete loss of propulsion" and was towed to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia.

Lt. Haggard also stated that quick action by the crew prevented more serious problems and the damaged clutch was repaired in Virginia.

On May 16, 2018, Milwaukee fired four "Longbow" Hellfire missiles at Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) targets, as part of an experimental platform development programme.