The USS Cleveland, a Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship, at sail in an undated photograph taken prior to the ship’s initial delivery in 2025. USS Cleveland will be commissioned in Cleveland, Ohio, this weekend. (Department of Defense)

Final Freedom-Class LCS to Be Commissioned in Cleveland

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The USS Cleveland will be the final Littoral Combat Ship to enter service—ending a long, and not entirely positive, saga for the warships.

On Saturday, May 16, the United States Navy will commission its final Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)—the future USS Cleveland (LCS-31), in the city for which she is named. It will mark the first time that any US Navy warship has been commissioned in the Forest City.

LCS-31, which was built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin, and launched in April 2023, was delivered to the US Navy last October. She arrived in Cleveland on May 9. Following her commissioning, she will head to Mayport, Florida, where she “will support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence in key operational theaters.”

Saturday’s Commissioning Marks the End of the LCS Building Phase

The commissioning of USS Cleveland marks the end of the construction phase of the LCS program, which has already seen the oldest vessels of the class retired from service due to reliability issues.

Designed by Lockheed Martin........

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