LCS 21 launched and christened
The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 21, has been launched at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard and christened as the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
The LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore missions, with a reconfigurable hull that can integrate capabilities including over-the-horizon missiles, advanced electronic warfare systems and decoys, and in the future, vertical launching systems or laser weapon systems.
The vessel is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots, and is armed with Rolling Airframe Missiles and a Mark 110 gun capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.
Lockheed Martin is in full-rate production and has delivered eight ships to the US Navy. This year, Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine will begin construction on two ships, deliver two ships, complete sea trials for two ships and see three ships commissioned: LCS 13, 15 and 17.
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