Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships: The Most Controversial Vessels in the Navy

General Dynamics received the contract for USS Independence (LCS-2) in October 2005, laying its keel three months later at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Its construction, however, was not as smooth sailing as the Navy hoped. First of all, the construction budget grew three times its original price tag, and trials ran behind schedule due to technical issues. Secondly, the first inspection conducted by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) found hundreds of deficiencies. After much time consumed in rectifying the ship’s flaws, Independence was finally handed over in mid-December 2009 and entered service shortly after. The increase in cost eventually became a concern, prompting the Navy to reevaluate the program and, as a result, suspend the construction of the second ships from both manufacturers in 2007. Construction on the USS Coronado (LCS-4) resumed two years later when General Dynamics was granted the contract. Lockheed also received a building contract and continued to produce its LCS variant. Originally, the program is speculated to fund up to 60 LCSs—30 each from the manufacturers—however, its final number has become unclear with the challenges it is facing even up to the present. Even so, General Dynamics and Austal USA have successfully produced 14 Independence-class LCSs to date, with 12 presently in service and two already decommissioned after 11 and 8 years of deployment, respectively. Meanwhile, five ships are under construction. Technical Specifications and Armaments At first glance, one can already see the unique design the Independence-class ships features, particularly its trimaran hull, said to be making it more fast and agile, all while bearing a rear deck large enough to accommodate at least one MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopter or two MQ-8B Fire Scouts or one MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned tactical chopper. In addition, this class can also launch speedboats and other unmanned surface vehicles. Tasked with operations like antisubmarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and surface warfare against small boats, the ship’s unusual hull shape increases its capacity to reflect radar, making it more stealthy. The General Dynamics variants typically measure about 127.8 meters (419.3 feet) in length, a maximum beam of 31.5 m (103.35 ft), and about 4.25 m (13.94 ft) in the draught, with a full load displacement of 2,637 tons. For its power and propulsion, an Independence-class ship is outfitted with two Rolls-Royce MT30 36MW gas turbines and two Fairbanks Morse Colt-Pielstick 16PA6B STC diesel engines, which drive the vessel’s four massive acoustically optimized Rolls-Royce waterjets. Meanwhile, four Isotta Fraschini Model V1708 ship service diesel generators provide the LCS’s auxiliary power, while an installed Fincantieri Marine Systems North America supplies its ride control system. With this, each LCS can reach a maximum speed of 45 knots within an 8,000-kilometer (18 knots) range. Moving on to its complement. The Independence-class LCS has a core crew of 40, including eight officers and 32 enlisted, plus up to 35 special mission crew. Moreover, capable of carrying provisions for 21 days before needing replenishment. A SeaRAM Ship Defense System equipped aboard the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS-30) (Image source: DVIDS) Each ship is armed with BAE Systems mk110 57mm naval gun system for its main armaments, firing mk295 ammunitions at a rate of 220 rounds a minute up to 14 kilometers (9 miles). Furthermore, 50-caliber machine gun mounts are fitted port and starboard on the walkways on each side of the hangar and in the stern near the helicopter deck. Raytheon Technologies’ SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is used for air defense. This advanced ship defense system can defend against supersonic and subsonic attacks by launching 11 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) with a nine-kilometer range in combination with the sensors of the Phalanx 1B CIWS. The mine warfare modules aboard the LCS variant include Lockheed Martin’s AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System (RMS), Raytheon’s AN/AQS-20A mine-detecting sonar, organic airborne surface influence sweep, and airborne mine detection and neutralization systems. Moreover, it employs Lockheed’s tactical littoral ocean network Sea (TALON) underwater surveillance system, which combines a variety of acoustic sensors with semi-submersible vehicles and network-centric communications. A sophisticated deployable surveillance system, autonomous surface vehicles, helicopter-delivered missiles, and sonar were also installed on each class ship. Lastly, for its anti-surface warfare, the ship employs two General Dynamics-built mk46 30mm cannons capable of firing 200 rounds per minute at ranges of up to two kilometers, as well as a new beyond-line-of-sight missile with a range of 40 kilometers. The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter on board may also be outfitted with guns and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, further increasing the overall firepower capacity of the LCS. Independence-class Littoral Warship All 14 LCSs bear the namesake of US states and capitals, except for USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10), USS Manchester (LCS-14), and USS Canberra (LCS-30). Below are the photos of the Independence-class LCSs built between 2018-present. Out of which, two of the first commissioned were retired in 2021 and 2022, respectively. USS Independence (LCS-2) LCS-2 anchored alongside the pier during its decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on July 2021. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 26 April 2008 Commissioned: 16 January 2010 Status: Decommissioned (29 July 2021) Berth: Bremerton, WA USS Coronado (LCS-4) LCS-4 returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on June 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 14 January 2012 Commissioned: 5 April 2014 Status: Decommissioned (14 September 2022) Berth: Bremerton, WA USS Jackson (LCS-6) “Victoribus Spolia (To The Victors, The Spoils)” LCS-6 returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on October 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 14 December 2013 Commissioned: 5 December 2015 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Montgomery (LCS-8) “Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere (We Dare Defend Our Rights)” LCS-8 returns to its homeport of San Diego following the successful completion of a 12-month rotational deployment in June 2020. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 6 August 2014 Commissioned: 10 September 2016 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) “Je Suis Prest (I Am Ready)” LCS-10 arrived at its homeport of Naval Base San Diego in July 2017. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 25 February 2015 Commissioned: 10 June 2017 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Omaha (LCS-12) “Fortiter In Re (Resolute In Deed)” LCS-12 moored during its commissioning ceremony at Broadway Pier in San Diego, California, in February 2018. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 20 November 2015 Commissioned: 3 February 2018 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Manchester (LCS-14) “Labor Vincit (Work Wins)” LCS-14 sailed into Naval Base San Diego for the first time in June 2018. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 12 May 2016 Commissioned: 26 May 2018 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Tulsa (LCS-16) “Tough, Able, Ready” LCS-16 maneuvers into its berth upon return from deployment in its homeport of San Diego in July 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 16 March 2017 Commissioned: 16 February 2019 Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Status: Active in service Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Charleston (LCS-18) “While We Breathe, We Fight” LCS-18 transited the Pacific Ocean to support the Oceanica Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) program in May 2021. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 14 September 2017 Commissioned: 2 March 2019 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Cincinnati (LCS-20) “Strength in Unity” LCS-20 arrived at its new homeport in San Diego for the first time in November 2019. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 22 May 2018 Commissioned: 5 October 2019 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Kansas City (LCS-22) “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” LCS-22 transits the Pacific Ocean during routine operations at sea in August 2021. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 19 October 2018 Commissioned: 20 June 2020 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Oakland (LCS-24) “Fortitude, Determination, Communication” LCS-24 arrives at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a scheduled port visit in September 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 21 July 2019 Commissioned: 17 April 2021 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Mobile (LCS-26) “Victory through Perseverance” LCS-26 arrives at its new homeport in San Diego for the first time in June 2021. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 11 January 2020 Commissioned: 22 May 2021 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Savannah (LCS-28) “Not for Self, but for Others” LCS-28 arrives in its homeport of San Diego for the first time in March 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Launched: 8 September 2020 Commissioned: 5 February 2022 Status: Active in service Fleet: US Pacific Fleet Home Port: Naval Base San Diego USS Canberra (LCS-30) Pre-Commissioning Unit LCS-30 arrives at its homeport of San Diego for the first time in June 2022. (Image source: DVIDS) Awarded: 6 October 2017 Launched: 30 March 2021 Status: Fitting Out USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) Awarded: 18 September 2018 Launched: 12 November 2021 Status: Fitting Out USS Augusta (LCS-34) Awarded: 18 September 2018 Launched: 23 May 2022 Status: Fitting Out USS Kingsville (LCS-36) Awarded: 14 December 2018 Status: Under Construction USS Pierre (LCS-38) Awarded: 17 December 2018 Status: Under Construction