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Littoral Combat Ship News

06 Mar 2024

Austal USA Delivers Future USS Kingsville

Source: Austal USA

Austal USA delivered the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) to the U.S. Navy March 1, 2024. Kingsville is the 18th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered by the company and the first U.S. Navy vessel to be named after the Texas city home to Naval Air Station Kingsville and directly tied to the historic King Ranch.Delivery documents were signed on board the ship and followed the successful completion of acceptance trials at the end of January during which the ship’s major systems and equipment were tested to demonstrate mission readiness.

01 Mar 2024

US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Kingsville (LCS 36)

(Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala., March 1.Kingsville is the 18th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) constructed, and is the first ship ever named after Kingsville, Texas.The LCS class comprises fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that can operate in both near-shore and open-ocean waters to counter 21st-century coastal threats.Kingsville successfully completed Acceptance Trials on February 1 and will be commissioned later this summer…

08 Feb 2024

Littoral Combat Ship USS Kingsville Complete Acceptance Trials

(Photo: Austal USA)

Last week, on January 31, the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) returned pier side after successfully completing acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy, Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced.During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order to demonstrate their successful operation and mission readiness. The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey participates throughout the trials to validate…

11 Sep 2023

Littoral Combat Ship USS Milwaukee Decommissioned

USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) has been decommissioned after less than eight years of naval service.The U.S. Navy has been scrapping its fleet of littoral combat ships—including both its Freedom and Independence variants. The latest to get the axe, USS Milwaukee, was decommissioned in Mayport, Fla. on September 8.During the ceremony guest speaker, Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink (USN, Ret), former chairman of Milwaukee’s commissioning committee wished…

24 Jul 2023

US Commissions First Navy Warship in Foreign Port

The Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrives in Sydney, Australia July 18, 2023. The ship was commissioned July 22 in Sydney. (Photo: Julie Ann Ripley / U.S. Navy)

The United States commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, the first time a U.S. Navy vessel joined active service at a foreign port, as the two close allies step up their military ties in response to China's expanding regional reach.The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS-30)—named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that was sunk while supporting the U.S. Marine landings on Guadalcanal in 1942—was commissioned at a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbour, officially joining the U.S.

24 Jul 2023

The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progress…

18 Jul 2023

USS Canberra (LCS 30) Arrives in Sydney Ahead of Commissioning

The Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LC 30) arrives in Sydney, Australia July 18, 2023. The ship will be commissioned July 22 in Sydney. (Photo: EJ Hersom / U.S. Department of Defense)

The U.S. Navy's Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived in Sydney, Australia, July 18, ahead of the ship’s ceremonial commissioning.USS Canberra entered Sydney Harbour in formation with Canberra-class landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra before mooring pierside at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East.“We are thrilled to be here in Sydney this week, and to show this city our fast, optimally-manned ship that sails across the seas as a symbol of our navies’ dedication to each other,” said Capt. Marc Crawford, Commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE.

18 Jul 2023

U.S. Navy Shipbuilders & Disaggregated, Dispersed Production

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, USS Columbia (SSN 771) moors alongside the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam, Jan. 4.  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua M. Tolbert)

With a lame-duck CNO, a divided Congress and the impending launch of the next Presidential election cycle, America’s naval market is locked into something of a fragile and fearful autopilot, cruising inexorably towards whatever excitement 2024 might bring.Materially, don’t expect much change: The demand for naval platforms will continue to outstrip available funding, meaning there will be little movement or growth in America’s major shipbuilding programs of record. The procurement outlines are already set.

19 Jun 2023

Keel Laid for Future USS Pierre (LCS 38)

Image courtesy Austal USA

Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony for the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard. Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens, with the assistance of Hon Tran – a 13-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship.The future USS Pierre is the final Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship being built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. LCS 38 is the second U.S. Navy ship named for the South Dakota capital city.

19 May 2023

Austal USA Awarded US Navy TAGOS-25 Contract

(Image: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced it has been awarded a contract potentially worth more than $3 billion for the detail design and construction of new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships for the U.S. Navy.The $113.9 million fixed-price incentive (firm target) and firm-fixed-price contract includes options for detail design and construction of up to seven T-AGOS 25 class ships which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $3.195 billion.Austal…

19 May 2023

US Navy Orders LCS Propulsion Items

File photo: U.S. Navy Independence class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10). (Photo: Josiah J. Kunkle / U.S. Navy)

Defense Maritime Solutions, Inc. secured a contract from the U.S. Navy's Southwest Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego in support of the waterjets and seals that they originally supplied for the Littoral Combat Ship Independence Class.The $9,135,942 firm-fixed price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract includes four ordering year options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $60,582,873. Work will be performed globally and defined in each delivery order. The completion of the base year is expected to be twelve months after award.

15 May 2023

Austal USA Delivers the Future USS Augusta

(Photo: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA delivered the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) to the U.S. Navy today. LCS 34 is the 17th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered by the company and the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named Augusta in honor of Maine’s state capital.Delivery documents were signed on board the ship and followed the successful completion of acceptance trials during which the ship’s major systems and equipment were tested to demonstrate mission readiness.

24 Apr 2023

Austal USA Christens the Future USS Kingsville

(Photo: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA celebrated the christening of the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship in a ceremony at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard.The 18th LCS designed and constructed by Austal USA, Kingsville is planned for delivery in early 2024 and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. LCS 36 is the first U.S. Navy ship named for Kingsville.Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments…

17 Apr 2023

Future USS Cleveland Launched and Christened

(Photo: Fincantieri Marinette Marine)

The U.S. Navy's newest Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Cleveland (LCS 31), was launched and christened during a ceremony on Saturday, at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis.Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-variant LCS and the fourth ship to be named in honor of the city of Cleveland, Ohio. Previous USS Cleveland's were the World War I cruiser (C 19), the World War II light cruiser (CL 55), and the Vietnam-era amphibious transport dock (LPD 7)…

03 Apr 2023

Three Austal USA Executives Indicted for Fraud

© Orhan Çam / Adobe Stock

A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week charging three Alabama men with orchestrating an accounting fraud scheme at the Mobile-based shipbuilder Austal USA LLC.The yard builds vessels for the U.S. Navy, including the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Austal USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian company Austal Limited.According to court documents, from at least in or around 2013 through at least in or around July 2016, Craig Perciavalle, 52…

30 Mar 2023

Austal USA Launches EPF14 and LCS 36

The USNS Cody, which was christened last month, is the Navy’s first Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II vessel. Image courtesy Austal

Austal USA launched two Navy ships this past week, USNS Cody (EPF 14) and the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36).With both ships in the water, production efforts will transition to final outfitting and system activation to support the ships getting underway for sea trials. The USNS Cody, which was christened last month, is the Navy’s first Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II vessel. As the first EPF Flight II, the ship represents enhanced Naval medicine afloat capabilities and will provide critical combat care in austere and contested operating environments.

27 Jan 2023

Chief of Naval Operations Visits Austal USA

Austal USA welcomed U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. Image courtesy Ausal USA

Austal USA welcomed U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The CNO toured the shipyard’s facility and discussed the company’s growing diversity of design and shipbuilding contracts. During his tour, the CNO witnessed the production of both steel and aluminum ships in the company’s 867,000-sq. ft. module manufacturing facility, including operations supporting the submarine industrial base.Austal USA leadership briefed the CNO on the company’s involvement in several autonomous surface vessel programs…

26 Jan 2023

Interview: Brendan Smith, President, Seaward Services

Brendan Smith (Photo: Seaward Services)

Brendan Smith brings more than a decade of maritime experience to his role as president of Seaward Services, a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels. The company is part of the Hornblower Group.During his 6.5 years with the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS Santa Fe, and his roles included chemistry and radiological controls assistant (CRA), quality assurance officer (QAO) and combat operations instructor.

24 Jan 2023

FMD Wins Support Contract for US Navy's Freedom-class LCS Engines

USS Freedom (LCS 1) (Photo: James R. Evans / U.S. Navy)

Power and propulsion systems provider Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced it has been awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) requirements contract by the U.S. Navy that makes the Beloit, Wis.-based company the sole source for engineering and technical support of the main propulsion diesel engines on the Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.FMD said it will provide global maintenance and repair services and OEM parts to improve engine performance and increase operational availability.

21 Nov 2022

Are Unmanned Surface Vessels the Key to a 500-Ship U.S. Navy?

Photo courtesy Jack Rowley

In an era of great power competition, navies – by virtue of their ability to span the globe and effectively deliver combat power – are likely to be the sine qua non of military power. This leads, naturally, to the tendency to count numbers of ship hulls when comparing the strength of navies. Lost on no one is the fact that the size of China’s Navy now exceeds that of the U.S. Navy, and the gap in ship numbers is growing.During the Cold War, while the quality of their ships might not have been equal to that of the U.S.

22 Aug 2022

Austal USA Names Kruger VP of Global Services and Support

Michelle Kruger (Photo: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA welcomes Michelle Kruger as vice president of global services and support. Operating from Austal’s San Diego waterfront services facility, Kruger is responsible for Austal USA’s global post-delivery repair and warranty efforts, including the development of business strategy and strategic alliances. As the primary customer interface for ship repair and maintenance services, Kruger will lead the pursuit of future government and commercial business…

08 Aug 2022

Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets

The first Offshore Patrol Cutter, USCGC Argus (WMSM 915) takes shape at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Panama City, Fla., shipyard.  The Coast Guard plans to build 25 OPCs. (ESG photo)

U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin…

28 Jul 2022

US Navy: Building Small Combatants to Create Force Structure and Capability

The Littoral Combat Ship has been made more lethal with the addition of the Naval Strike Mis-sile, seen here installed on USS Charleston (LCS 18).   (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign James French)

The U.S. Navy needs more ships. And that means the Navy has to build more ships than it is decommissioning.The sea service has a stated a goal of 355 ships, and as many as 500 and more when unmanned platforms are counted. There are 298 ships in the fleet today. For surface ships, this number includes a high-low mix of highly capable large surface combatants, and smaller ships such as littoral combat ships LCS).The Navy’s smallest combatants are the 330-ton, 197-foot coastal patrol boats (PCs). Up until recently, ten of them have been serving in the Middle East with the U.S.