Alabama-made final Independence-class littoral combat ship successfully completes acceptance trials

The U.S. Navy successfully completed acceptance trials for the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) at Austal USA in Mobile the week of June 9. These trials, marking the final Independence variant LCS acceptance trials, achieved the highest measured quality in 15 years.

This trial marks the final significant milestone prior to ship delivery. Following the ship’s commissioning later this fall, LCS 38 will be homeported in San Diego, California. Pierre will support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.

“As we step back and take stock of this milestone, it is important that we recognize LCS 38 as what it is, an embodiment of naval ingenuity, adaptability and of determination to deliver on our commitments,” said Jonas Brown, deputy program manager of the LCS Program Office. “This is the close of an important chapter in United States shipbuilding history, and we must also remember that the story of LCS is still being written by our sailors. We are eager to deliver this powerful warship, where it will undoubtedly serve effectively in the fleet.”

Pierre is the 19th Independence-variant littoral combat ship constructed. LCS 38 is the third ship named in honor of Pierre, South Dakota, and the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. The first ship named Pierre was the SS Pierre Victory, a Victory-class cargo ship that distinguished itself in World War II by successfully shooting down a kamikaze plane near Okinawa. The first U.S. Navy warship named USS Pierre was a submarine chaser commissioned in 1943, renamed in 1946 and decommissioned in 1958.

“The Independence-variant LCS is a testament to innovation, agility and combat power,” said Melissa Kirkendall, acting Program Executive Officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC). “Its cutting-edge design and versatility make it a force multiplier, ready to meet the challenges of modern naval warfare. Pierre is not just the final LCS in its class – it’s a symbol of our Navy’s strength, lethality and commitment to global security.”

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. It is a class of small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

The LCS class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two separate industry teams. The trimaran-hulled Independence-variant team is led by Austal USA (for the even-numbered ships). The monohull Freedom-variant is led by Lockheed Martin (for the odd-numbered ships).

“The completion of LCS 38 sea trials marks the achievement of an important milestone at Austal USA, the last LCS to go out to sea under our control,” said Harley Combs, Austal USA vice president of Surface Ship Programs. “Congratulations to our Austal USA shipbuilders, vendors and our Navy teammates who coordinated to accomplish this successful milestone preparing the ship for delivery in a couple of weeks.”

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With the delivery of Pierre, Austal USA will have delivered 19 LCS to the Navy in just over 15 years.

In addition to Pierre, Austal USA is constructing seven more Navy and Coast Guard ships as well as modules for both the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs and aircraft elevators for the Ford-class aircraft carrier fleet.

PEO USC designs, develops, builds, maintains and modernizes the Navy’s unmanned maritime systems; mine warfare systems; special warfare systems; expeditionary warfare systems; and small surface combatants. For more from Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants, visit here.