US Navy names new LCS USS Tulsa
The US Navy has named the next Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) as USS Tulsa (LCS 16), the US Department of Defense's Secretary of the Navy announced on 15 September.
The USS Tulsa will be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 40 knots and will be 419 feet long. It will provide operational flexibility and war fighting capabilities to execute various missions in areas such as surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare.
The ship will have a modular design, which will incorporate mission packages that can be changed to meet combat requirements. They are supported by detachments that deploy both manned and unmanned vehicles, and sensors in support of mine, undersea, and surface warfare missions.
Austal USA will construct USS Tulsa in Mobile, Alabama.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.