LCS 20 delivered to USN
The US Navy has accepted delivery of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 20 from Austal, to be named USS Cincinnati.
Accepted on 21 June during a ceremony in Mobile, Alabama, this is the 18th LCS to be delivered to the USN, and the 10th Independence-class example to join the fleet. Commissioning will take place in Gulfport, Mississippi later this year.
Five additional Independence-variant ships are under construction at Austal USA. These include the USS Kansas City (LCS 22) which is expected to be delivered to the navy later year, plus USS Oakland (LCS 24), USS Mobile (LCS 26), USS Savannah (LCS 28) and USS Canberra (LCS 30), which are all in various stages of construction.
Four more ships are awaiting the start of construction following LCS 30, according to Austal.
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, while it is also capable of open-ocean tasking and operating against modern coastal threats such as submarines, mines and swarming small craft. It is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs]()
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
![Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027]()
Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027
The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer is a stealth ship originally designed to consist of a fleet of 32 but has been cut back to three. Conceived for a land-attack role, it is now being fitted with a hypersonic missile capability.
-
![How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?]()
How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?
Although both countries still operate Cold War-era platforms, they possess capable nuclear-powered and armed submarines and are investing in the development of new, advanced capabilities.
-
![Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds]()
Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds
Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.
