The United States Navy has taken delivery of its forthcoming USS Cleveland (LCS 31) from Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) in Marinette, Wisconsin, on 26th November.
End of LCS Class Freedom Program
The USS Cleveland is the sixteenth and final ship of its class, signifying the completion of construction phases for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Freedom variant, a sustained acquisition effort that engaged US Navy staff, industry partners, and program management teams for over two decades.
After commissioning in Cleveland, Ohio, in early 2026, LCS 31 will be based in Mayport, Florida, contributing to advanced presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence in major operational theaters.
LCS Features
The LCS is a fast, agile, and mission-focused warship, designed to operate in coastal environments to counter 21st-century threats. It’s a class of small surface combat units with capabilities to deal with global coastal challenges.
The LCS can operate independently or within high-risk scenarios as part of a networked combat force, including larger, multi-mission surface combat units such as cruisers and destroyers.
Technical Description of LCS Class Freedom
The ship displaces 3,500 tons, has an overall length of 115 meters, a width of 17.5 meters, and a draft of 3.9 meters.
The base crew is 50 men (Blue crew), which can be increased up to 65 for mission needs (Gold crew).
The propulsion system consists of 2 Rolls Royce MT30 36 MW (48,000 hp) gas turbines coupled to 2 Colt-Pielstick 16PA6B 6.8 MW (9,100 hp) diesel engines and 4 Rolls Royce water jets. For power generation, 4 Isotta Fraschini V1708 diesel engines are installed, each paired with a Hitzinger generator, each with a power of 800 kW.
The maximum speed attainable is 47 knots, with sea force 3. The range is 3,500 nautical miles (approximately 6,500 km) at 18 knots. The mission endurance is three weeks.
Electronic Equipment and Armament
Starting from LCS-17, an EADS North America TRS-4D air and surface search radar is installed instead of the previous TRS-3D. The LCS Class Freedom ships are equipped with a Lockheed Martin COMBATSS-21 CMS or Combat Management System.
For anti-submarine defense, the AN/SQR-20 Multi-Function Towed Array (part of the ASW mission module) is installed. For electronic defense, an Argon ST WBR-2000 ESM system and a decoy Terma A/S SKWS are available.
The artillery armament is a BAE Systems Mk 110 57mm cannon with 400 shots in turret and another 480 in two magazines. Two MK44 Bushmaster II 30mm cannons can be mounted (as part of the SUW mission module). Four 12.7mm machine guns complete the artillery equipment.
At the missile level, the LCS Class Freedom ships are armed with a Mk 49 launcher with 21 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Surface-to-Air-Missiles.
The units can be armed with 24 AGM-114L Hellfire Longbow (part of the SUW module). To enhance the anti-ship capabilities of the LCS Class Freedom, the Kongsberg-Raytheon Naval Strike Missile containers/launchers can be embarked as well as an Extended Range version of the Griffin missile is being tested. Further down the line potential for integration of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile which Lockheed Martin is developing a new containers/launchers for embarked deployments.
Additionally, aboard the LCS Class Freedom an MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopter and/or 1-2 MQ-8B/C Fire Scout can be embarked . The LCS also carries an 11-meter RHIB and a 12-meter fast boat.
Source and photo credit @US Navy
