U.S. Navy christened and launched LCS USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

On June 15, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the U.S. Navy christened and launched the eleventh Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21).

USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) is put afloat during its launching ceremony (Picture Source: U.S. Navy)

The vessel was launched by Lockheed Martin-led shipbuilding team into the Menominee River at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) Shipyard. Ship sponsor Jodi J. Greene, Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy for Policy, christened LCS 21 just prior to launch.

“Littoral combat ships are designed to operate in more areas than a typical Navy ship, including shallow water near the coastline,” said the ship’s sponsor and Northfield, Minnesota native Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy Jodi Greene. “Consequently, LCS 21 is going to bring the name ‘Minneapolis-Saint Paul’ all around the globe.”

“LCS is the second largest ship class in the U.S. Navy, and Lockheed Martin is proud to deliver capability and added force projection with each additional hull,” said Joe DiPietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of Small Combatants and Ship Systems. “LCS is ready to serve a variety of missions, and our team is working with the Navy to add lethality and survivability enhancements to meet the missions sailors will face in the future.”

Lockheed Martin is in full-rate production and has delivered eight ships to the U.S. Navy. There are eight ships in various stages of production and test. 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).

“We take great pride in building the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and all of the freedom variant ships,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO. “LCS 21 and her sister ships will soon represent the interests of the United States where and when needed.”