U.S. Navy Commissions Final Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship

The U.S. Navy has commissioned its 19th and final Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the USS Pierre (LCS 38), on November 15 in Panama City, Florida.

The littoral combat ship class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, the odd-numbered hulls, in Marinette, Wis. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Ala., for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls.

Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments. LCS integrates with joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions.