US Navy Names Two Littoral Combat Ships & One Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship.

On Feb. 13, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced the next Freedom and Independence variant Littoral Combat Ships will be named USS Nantucket (LCS 27) and USS Savannah (LCS 28). He also announced the next Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship will be named USNS Newport (T-EPF 12).

Graphic illustration of the future Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Nantucket (LCS 27). (U.S. Navy illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond Diaz/Released)

The future USS Nantucket (LCS 27), a Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, will be the third commissioned U.S. Navy ship to honor the maritime history of Nantucket. Nantucket will be built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Graphic illustration of the future Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28). (U.S. Navy illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond Diaz/Released)

The future USS Savannah (LCS 28), an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, is the sixth ship to bear the name of the oldest city in Georgia. Savannah will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship, designed to meet validated fleet requirements for surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine countermeasures (MCM) missions in the littoral region. An interchangeable mission package is embarked on each LCS and provides the primary mission systems in one of these warfare areas.

Graphic illustration of the future Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship USNS Newport (T-EPF 12). (U.S. Navy illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond Diaz/Released)

USNS Newport (T-EPF 12) will be the fourth ship to bear the name honoring the Rhode Island city. Newport is home to several Navy activities, including Naval Station Newport and the Naval War College.

The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), formerly named the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran that is designed for High Speed Intra-Theater Surface Lift and serves in a variety of roles for the military branches to include support of overseas contingency operations, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and supporting special operations forces.

Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, will build the new EPF, which will be 338 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 93.5 feet, displace approximately 2,362 tons and operate at speeds of approximately 35-plus knots.