Austal USA has launched the US Navy’s final Independence-class littoral combat ship at the company’s shipyard in Alabama.
The ceremony followed the vessel’s christening three months earlier, where it was named the USS Pierre (LCS 38) after South Dakota’s capital city.
During the event, Austal deployed a “modern, safe, and efficient” multi-step capability to move the ship from a moored deck barge to a floating dry dock.
The dock was then submerged, marking the Pierre’s first float before undertaking engine activation and associated tests.
After the rollout, the firm will begin the system’s supporting tests required for its main sea trials in late 2024.
“Meeting this ship milestone in such a safe and timely manner demonstrates how well our Austal USA launch team, transporter operators and tug pilots have learned to work together over the last 13 years, seamlessly executing this technical launch process,” Austal USA New Construction VP Dave Growden stated during the ceremony.
“Our industry teams work methodically alongside our Navy partners to improve this innovative process with each launch evolution, guaranteeing the Navy a quality product delivered on time and on budget.”
The US Littoral Combat Ship
The US Department of Defense unveiled the LCS program to employ new warships capable of near-shore and open-ocean missions.
Shipbuilding of the Independence vessels was assigned to Austal, while Lockheed Martin led the development of another LCS line called Freedom.
The latest Freedom-class vessel, the USS Nantucket (LCS 27), was delivered to the US Navy in July.
Each platform under the LCS initiative measures 388 to 419 feet (118 to 128 meters), depending on its variant.
The system is powered by combined diesel and gas turbine engines for a top speed of 46 miles (74 kilometers) per hour and a maximum range of 3,500 nautical miles (4,039 miles/6,500 kilometers).
An LCS ship can carry helicopters, ground-based fighting vehicles, equipment payloads, and approximately 75 personnel.
Its weapons suite consists of machine guns, missiles, and decoy launching systems.
