Christening ceremony of future US Navy Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre.

According to a PR published by Austal USA on May 18, 2024, the firm celebrated the christening of its 19th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Pierre (LCS 38). The ceremony featured ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens breaking a ceremonial bottle over the bow, witnessed by over four hundred guests.
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Christening ceremony of the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre. (Picture source: Austal USA)

The ceremony featured ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens breaking a ceremonial bottle over the bow, witnessed by over four hundred guests.

The LCS is designed for fast, agile operations in near-shore environments against modern coastal threats. In 2023, the Navy reported six Independence-variant LCS deployed in the Pacific, including the record-breaking 26-month deployment of USS Charleston (LCS 18).

The Independence-variant LCS also supports the Navy's unmanned programs, with USS Oakland (LCS 24) operating as a mothership for unmanned vessels. The integration of the mine countermeasures mission package on USS Canberra (LCS 30) signifies the expanding capabilities of the class.

About the LCS

Several issues have plagued the program, impacting its cost-effectiveness and operational reliability. One of the primary technical issues has been with the propulsion systems, especially in the Freedom-class variant.

The combining gear, which links the diesel engines to the gas turbines, has encountered multiple failures, necessitating costly repairs estimated at $8 to $10 million per ship. These problems have limited the ships' speed and operational readiness, with some vessels requiring towing during their initial voyages due to breakdowns​.

Cost overruns have been another major issue. Initial estimates for building and operating the LCS fleet have skyrocketed. By 2019, the U.S. Navy had spent over $28 billion on the development and construction of 32 ships, with operational costs projected to exceed $60 billion for a fleet of 35 ships. These costs have not fully accounted for the revised maintenance strategies necessary to address the technical problems, further complicating budgetary planning​.