The US Navy took possession of the newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), at Austal USA’s facility in Mobile, Alabama, on 11 July.
The vessel represents the 19th and final delivery in the Independence-variant LCS series. This delivery culminates a procurement initiative spanning over two decades that involved Navy staff, industry collaborators, and programme management teams.
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During acceptance trials conducted in the week of 9 June 2025, Pierre achieved the highest quality score recorded for any littoral combat ship in the past 15 years.
These trials assessed the ship’s primary systems and functionalities to ensure they are operational and ready for mission deployment.
The pre-commissioning crew of Pierre is now gearing up for its integration into the fleet.
The future USS Pierre is set for commissioning later this year and will be stationed in San Diego, California.
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By GlobalDataOnce deployed, it will undertake missions such as enhancing forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence across key strategic regions.
Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) acting programme executive officer Melissa Kirkendall said: “The legacy of Pierre and her sister littoral combat ships is the vibrant shipbuilding industrial base that we now have in the mid-tier yards that are now constructing the Navy’s next-generation warships.”
Austal USA is currently building nine vessels for the US Navy and one cutter for the US Coast Guard, with plans to start construction on an additional Coast Guard cutter in early August 2025.
The LCS class features two distinct designs: the trimaran-hulled Independence-variant and the monohull Freedom-variant, each produced by different industry coalitions.
Austal USA spearheads the construction of the even-numbered ships in the Independence-variant, while Lockheed Martin heads up the production of the odd-numbered vessels in the Freedom-variant.
Designed as a swift and manoeuvrable warship for operations close to shorelines, the LCS is equipped to address modern threats in coastal waters.
These small surface combatants boast armaments are suited for various challenges encountered in littoral zones. They can function autonomously or as part of a networked force alongside larger surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers in high-threat situations.
