The US Navy's next Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS Oakland (LCS 24), the US Department of Defense's Secretary of the Navy announced on 20 August.
The LCS provides the navy with essential war fighting capabilities and operational flexibility to accomplish various missions such as surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare.
The USS Oakland will be 419 feet long and will be constructed in Mobile, Alabama by Austal USA. The ship has a modular design and interchangeable mission packages as per changing combat needs.
The packages are supported by detachments that deploy both unmanned and manned vehicles and sensors, in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.
The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). As well as for the building of the boats, contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards, workforce support and other investment.
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
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