USN to commission newest Independence-variant LCS
Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2). (Photo: USN)
On Saturday, 5 February, the USN will commission its latest Austal USA-built Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Savannah (LCS 28).
Savannah is the 14th Independence-variant LCS.
The USN operates two types of LCS: the aluminium-hull Independence design (built by Austal USA) and the Lockheed Martin Freedom variant.
Savannah’s keel was laid in September 2019, with the ship later launched in September 2020.
The USN describes the LCS as a ‘fast, agile, mission-focused platform’ designed to operate near-shore environments.
In January 2022, Booz Allen Hamilton won a deal worth up to $74.72 million to provide a single executive for end-to-end support of LCS vessels.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.