Final LCS delivered as Frigate Program tanks
Littoral Combat Ship 31, the future USS Cleveland, was delivered to the Navy on 26 November from Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, closing out the line.
While all 19 of the more successful Indianapolis-class variants have been delivered and commissioned (albeit with two early hulls laid up), and are increasingly being used in a minesweeper role, the 16 Freedom-class variants, of which Cleveland is the final hull, have been much less successful, and five of her sisters have already been retired.
Cleveland launched in April 2023 and has spent the past 31 months fitting out. By comparison, the last Indy, USS Pierre (LCS-38), only needed 14 months between christening (18 May 2024) and delivery (11 July 2025). Pierre’s entire construction period, from keel laying to commissioning, spanned 29 months.
Following commissioning in Cleveland, Ohio, in early 2026, LCS 31 will be homeported in Mayport, Florida, with her 10 active sisters.
When commissioned, LCS-31 will be the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named for the Ohio city after two cruisers (C-19/CL-21 and CL-55), which served in WWI and WWII, respectively, and LPD-7, a Cold War era amphibious transport dock commissioned in 1967 and disposed of in a 2024 SINKEX.
Fincantieri, meanwhile, is continuing to work on the first (and last) two hopelessly behind Constellation class frigates, while the other four on contract will be canceled.
The Navy has agreed to take the blame for the program’s mismanagement, even going so far as to indemnify Fincantieri while the shipyard “is expected to receive new orders to deliver classes of vessels in segments that best serve the immediate interests of the nation and the renaissance of U.S. shipbuilding, such as amphibious, icebreaking, and other special missions.”
Wow.
Buy ROK FFGs?
Perhaps we should just order some frigates off the shelf from Korea, where the third Chungnam-class (FFX) Batch-III frigate, the future ROKS Jeonnam (FFG-831), was launched at SK Ocean Plant in Goseong, Gyeongnam, on 25 November.
Small, 3,600-ton (4,300 full load) ships that run 423 feet oal, they run a CODAG setup that allows a 30 knot speed and 8,000nm range at 16 knots– ideal for convoy and patrol work. They run a phased-array four-sided AESA radar/IRST mast, carry a 5″/62 MK45 gun, have a VLS (64 K-SAAM, 8 land attack) system, all the ASW goodies (hull-mounted active sonar, towed passive, VLA, 324mm tubes), a hangar for an embarked helicopter, and a CIWS.
Why can’t we have nice things?
Jeonnam’s sister, the ROKS Gyeoungbuk (FFG-829), gives a better view of the class. If we could just whistle up 40 of these. Bulk contract. Single source. Roll it!
Chris,
Thank you to people like yourself, CDR Salamander, and others, for spreading the word on the terrible “Little Crappy Ship” program and the need for some useful small combatants in this world of complex and changing threats. I, too, wish we could have nice things. With none of the FFG-7 class left in service, we desperately need some EFFECTIVE small combatants–not small ships that we struggle to find a use for. Those little ROK FFGs look like just what we need! Yes! Can we get a Cyber Monday discount on an order of 40?
Thanks again,
Bob G
Thanks for the kind words, Bob! If only NAVSEA could get the act together…
The LCS can be useful. If given the right mission. Don’t blame them for some of the modules not working. The LCS were never designed to go toe to toe with a near peer. Yes, they had issues at the beginning. Every government contract had problems. Full disclosure I used to work for Marinette Marine.
A few things. The Independence class LCS is a completely different design. That design allows for faster loading.
Indeed. But you have to admit that the Indys were delivered in a shorter period than the Freedoms.
Billions of dollars were spent on the controversial LCS program, and now we find ourselves with frigates behind schedule. Clear poor planning in the defense deals.