US Navy christens final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship
The future USS Cleveland pictured at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. (Photo: Fincantieri Marinette Marine)
The US Navy, on 15 April, christened and launched the final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Cleveland.
The launch also marks the last time shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine will side-launch a ship, as future vessels will hit the water using a ship-lift system.
Ahead of the commissioning, US Secretary of Navy Carlos Del Toro said: ‘LCS 31 will be another step closer to joining our fleet, sailing the open seas, continuing to defend our nation, and representing the strong connection our navy has with the city of Cleveland.’
Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-variant LCS.
Related Articles
US plans reserve status for unwanted Littoral Combat Ships
US Navy orders new San Antonio LPD as class's future remains uncertain
US commissions latest Littoral Combat Ship, as Austal execs face fraud charges
Following technical problems with the ships' combining gear, the USN decided to retire a host of Freedom-variant ships early.
The US also cancelled the LCS Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) package.
Built by a team led by Lockheed Martin, the Freedom-variant ships feature a steel monohull design differing from the Independence variant's aluminium trimaran hull shape.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile]()
NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile
The NATO Sparrow Project Office has outlined its interest in exploring cutting-edge technologies to be integrated into the ESSM Next Significant Variant.
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
