US Navy Commissions Fifth Littoral Combat Ship

The US Navy has commissioned fifth Littoral Combat Ship USS Milwaukee into active service.

Lockheed Martin designed Milwaukee is the third Freedom-variant in the LCS class. It successfully passed Acceptance Trials in September and was delivered to the US Navy on October 16, the company said in a statement Saturday.

Milwaukee will transit to its homeport in San Diego, California, where it will be integrated into the fleet and the industry-Navy team will conduct additional program testing and crew training.

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team, which includes shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine and naval architect Gibbs & Cox, has already delivered two Freedom-variant littoral combat ships to the US Navy. USS Freedom conducted a successful deployment to Southeast Asia in 2013 and is currently operating out of her homeport in San Diego. USS Fort Worth is currently deployed in Southeast Asia.

Detroit (LCS 7) is scheduled to be delivered in early 2016. Sioux City (LCS 11), Wichita (LCS 13), Billings (LCS 15), and Indianapolis (LCS 17) are in construction. St. Louis (LCS 19) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (LCS 21) are in long-lead material procurement.

The commissioning is the final act that marks entrance of a ship into the naval forces of her nation. It is the final of three events that bring a ship to life: keel laying, launching and christening, and commissioning.