Future LCS USS Cincinnati Delivered to Navy

LCS 20’s sponsor Penny Pritzker, former Commerce secretary, christens the future USS Cincinnati last May. U.S. Navy via Austal USA

MOBILE, Ala. — Austal USA delivered its 10th Independence-variant littoral combat ship to the U.S. Navy, the company announced in a release, as the future USS Cincinnati(LCS 20) will be the 18th LCS to enter the fleet.

“It’s so exciting to deliver another great warship to the U.S. Navy,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “I’m so proud of our incredible team here at Austal USA, our industry and Navy partners for achieving this major milestone for the future USS Cincinnati.”

Five small surface combatants are presently under various stages of construction at Austal’s Alabama shipyard. The future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) is preparing for sea trials. Assembly is underway on the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) and the future USS Mobile (LCS 26), and modules are under construction for the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) and the future USS Canberra (LCS 30) with four more under contract through LCS 38.

“The shipbuilding momentum here is second to none, led by the most talented shipbuilding professionals I’ve ever worked with,” Perciavalle said. “This momentum and efficiency continue to result in incredible cost savings ship over ship, enabling us to provide highly capable but very cost-effective solutions to our Navy.”

“It’s so exciting to deliver another great warship to the U.S. Navy.”
Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle

More than 700 suppliers in 40 states contribute to the Independence-variant LCS program. This supplier base supports tens of thousands of small business to large business jobs.

LCS is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. The Independence-variant LCS integrates new technology and capability to support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.

Austal is also under contract to build 14 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels (EPF) for the Navy. The company has delivered 10 EPFs while an additional two are in various stages of construction.