Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Marinette Littoral Combat Ship commissioned
USS Marinette (LCS 25) has been commissioned. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The latest USN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Freedom-class USS Marinette (LCS 25) was commissioned on 16 September. It will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
The ship was authorised on 31 March 2016 and named on 22 September 2016. It was christened 20 November 2021 and completed acceptance trials the following year. The ship was delivered to the USN on 6 February 2023.
The ship enters service as others of both this class and Independence-class LCS are retired with the final Freedom-class, USS Cleveland, christened and launched on 15 April this year.
The Freedom-class vessels displace about 3,900t and are 115m long with a beam of 17.5m and a draught of 3.9m. Powered by two MT30 gas turbines, four Isotta Fraschini V1708 diesel engines and two Colt-Pielstick 16PA6B diesel engines, the ships are capable of an incredibly fast top speed of 47kt with a range of 4,300nm.
Related Articles
US Navy christens final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship
Why the US Navy wants to sell two Littoral Combat Ships after less than ten years in service
In 2025, four Freedom-class LCS will be made available under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, having served for a fraction of their planned service lives.
USS Wichita, Billings, Indianapolis, and St Louis will be available to potential customers under the FMS route should the USN get its way.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
-
![Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare]()
Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare
A new concept of underwater warfare could be needed to take naval defence to its next evolution.
-
![Why USNORTHCOM would struggle to defeat China in the Arctic]()
Why USNORTHCOM would struggle to defeat China in the Arctic
Not having enough naval and C4ISR capabilities to patrol and monitor the region would the US at risk in a conflict with China in the Arctic region.
