US Navy Decommissions Two More Littoral Combat Ships Due to Design Flaws

The two littoral ships quietly retire in Mayport, Florida

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The United States Navy quietly bid farewell to two more of its littoral combat ships (LCS), USS Detroit (LCS-7) and USS Little Rock (LCS-9), in a decommissioning ceremony held last Friday, September 29. This decision comes after just six and seven years of service for the respective vessels.

The LCS-7 and LCS-9, belonging to the US Navy’s Freedom class, were retired early due to major design flaws that rendered them unsuitable for continued service.

A Look Back at Their Service

The decommissioning ceremony, presided over by LCS-7 Commanding Officer Cmdr Kyle Hickman, reminded us of the significant roles these ships played in safeguarding the nation’s waters.

USS Detroit and USS Little Rock were deployed for intelligence-gathering operations and patrols, contributing to the US international anti-drug trafficking campaign.

Unfortunately, both vessels encountered frequent breakdowns of their combining gear, a crucial component of their propulsion systems. These mechanical failures were attributed to construction and design discrepancies that plagued the Freedom class.

The issues were particularly severe for LCS-7, which was forced to cut short its missions to Latin America due to recurrent malfunctions.

Potential Foreign Military Sales

Currently, USS Detroit (LCS-7) and USS Little Rock (LCS-9) are being considered for potential foreign military sales. The latter is moored at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for storage purposes, and further decisions regarding its future are pending.

USS Detroit (LCS 7) holds a special place in the US Navy’s history as the sixth vessel to bear the name of Michigan’s largest city. It symbolized the spirit and resilience of the Detroit community.

“Deploying four times to the [US Southern Command’s Area of Responsibility] in just seven years, Detroit led the way in training, operations as a Surface Mission Module test platform, and critical COMFOURTHFLT tasking to include counter-drug interdiction, interoperability, and cooperative engagements throughout the Caribbean,” LCS-7 Commanding Officer Hickman said.

As these ships are decommissioned, their sailors will receive follow-on orders for new assignments, marking the end of an era for both the vessels and their dedicated crews.

The Flawed Freedom Class

Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are known for their speed, agility, and mission-focused capabilities, making them ideally suited for nearshore operations and countering 21st-century coastal threats. They are versatile platforms capable of supporting a wide range of fleet missions while operating alongside regional navies and coastguards. These missions include supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence efforts worldwide.

The Freedom-class LCS is a key component of the Navy’s modern fleet, designed for operations in nearshore environments. Its development history traces back to the early 2000s when the need for a versatile, adaptable vessel capable of countering emerging littoral threats became apparent. In 2004, the Navy awarded contracts to two separate teams, one led by Lockheed Martin and the other by General Dynamics, to develop competing LCS designs. The Freedom-class, produced by Lockheed Martin, features a distinctive trimaran hull design and is known for its speed and agility.

However, its development journey has not been without challenges. The class has faced issues such as propulsion system problems, hull corrosion, and delays in mission module development.

This decommissioning comes on the heels of the Navy’s decision to retire USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) in September after seven years of service and the USS Sioux City (LCS 11) in August after less than five years. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the LCS program and the Navy’s commitment to ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of its fleet.

A New Addition: USS Augusta (LCS-34)

Meanwhile, amidst the retirements, the US Navy celebrated the commissioning of a brand-new Independence-variant LCS in Eastport, Maine. The ceremony was led by Naval Inspector General Vice Adm John Fuller and marked the USS Augusta (LCS-34) entry into the Navy’s littoral defenses.

USS Augusta (LCS-34) is slated for operations in both nearshore and open ocean environments, bolstering the Navy’s capabilities in littoral regions. Vice Adm Fuller emphasized the ship’s integral role in supporting sea control and power projection, two key components of the Navy’s mission.

LCS-34 is the third Independence-variant vessel to be commissioned this year, following the USS Canberra (LCS-30) and USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32). These new additions to the fleet represent the Navy’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a modern and effective littoral combat force.

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In conclusion, the decommissioning of USS Detroit (LCS-7) and USS Little Rock (LCS-9) reminds us of the challenges faced by the LCS program and the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a capable and reliable fleet. Despite these setbacks, the commissioning of USS Augusta (LCS-34) and other Independence-variant ships underscores the Navy’s determination to continue its mission of safeguarding the nation’s waters and projecting power in littoral regions.