Navy to Christen Future Littoral Combat Ship Beloit 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Beloit (LCS 29), during a 10:00 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, May 7, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the Defense Department said May 6. 

The Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) will be the principal speaker. Also providing remarks are Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), Vice Adm. John Fuller, Naval Inspector General, Vice Adm. Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, Lori Curtis Luther, city manager of Beloit, Wisconsin, as well as shipbuilders Steve Allen, vice president, Small Combatants and Ship Systems, Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, and Mark Vandroff, CEO, Fincantieri Marinette Marine. 

In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Beloit native and retired Army Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, will break a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. 

“The future USS Beloit will be the first U.S. Navy ship honoring the proud naval contributions of Beloit, Wisconsin,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “I have no doubt the Sailors of USS Beloit will stand the watch with pride and be ready to respond to any mission, wherever, and whenever, there is a need.” 

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, or odd-numbered hulls, constructed in Marinette, Wisconsin. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Alabama, for LCS 2 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls. 

LCS 29 is the 15th Freedom-variant LCS and 29th in the LCS class. It is the first ship named in honor of the city of Beloit, Wisconsin.