U.S. Navy Christens Final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship, USS Pierre

On May 18, the US Navy christened the USS Pierre (LCS-38), the final of the Independence-class littoral combat ships, during a ceremony at Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama facility.

This is an essential milestone in the contentious littoral combat ship (LCS) development, bringing it closer to completion.

The LCS program has been scrutinized and challenged over the years.

The LCS was initially developed for diverse tasks in shallow-water situations, but it was later adapted for War on Terror operations and low-intensity fighting in areas such as the Persian Gulf.

Independence-class trimarans and Freedom-class monohulls were designed to employ interchangeable “mission packages” for various duties, such as mine countermeasures, surface combat, and antisubmarine warfare (ASW).

However, the concept proved impracticable, and each class was allotted distinct duties and homeports—Freedom class to ASW in Mayport and Independence-class to mine countermeasures in San Diego.

The Navy has decommissioned its earliest LCS vessels, considering them excess to requirements.

The Freedom-class USS Sioux City, which had just been in service for five years, was retired in 2023.

Issues with the Freedom class’s propulsion and ASW systems prompted then-Chief of Naval Operations Mike Gilday to request the early decommissioning of all nine currently operating vessels in this class, five of which were already out of service.

Similarly, in order to rightsize the fleet, the Navy has requested that the first four Independence-class ships be retired early.

Despite these early retirements, the Navy has found new roles for Independence-class ships.

These include freedom of passage operations in the South China Sea, support for new unmanned capabilities, and the hosting of Coast Guard drug interdiction teams.

The USS Pierre will join its sister ships in San Diego and then be deployed to the Indo-Pacific region.

The USS Pierre will measure 418 feet (127 meters) long, 104 feet (31.6 meters) wide, and displace 3,421 tons (3,104 tonnes) when fully loaded.

Its weapons include a BAE Systems naval cannon, four 12.7mm machine guns, and evolved SeaRAM surface-to-air missiles.

The ship’s propulsion system permits a maximum speed of 43 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots, allowing it to travel up to 4,300 nautical miles.

Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, the program executive officer for small and unmanned combatants, highlighted the importance of the USS Pierre and its crew.

Smith stated that as they christen the USS Pierre, they also recognize the extraordinary crews that will sail this ship by employing the capabilities and adaptability of the Littoral Combat Ship class, which is set to play an essential part in safeguarding the nation’s interests now and for decades to come,

With the Navy returning to all-steel hull building, Austal has responded by expanding its steel manufacturing line and gaining new contracts.

These include the construction of new tugs and research ships and the possibility of competing with Marinette Marine for Constellation-class frigates.

Reference: bairdmaritime

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