US Navy welcomes 15th littoral combat ship from Lockheed Martin

The US Navy has officially received its latest vessel, the USS Beloit (LCS 29), from Lockheed Martin at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. This ship marks the 15th Freedom-class littoral combat ship and is named after the city of Beloit, Wisconsin.

The USS Beloit is designed as a fast, mission-oriented surface combatant, capable of operating in both near-shore and open-ocean environments. It successfully completed its acceptance trials in August, during which the Navy evaluated its combat systems, propulsion, auxiliary functions, and electrical systems, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Scheduled for commissioning later this year, the ship will be stationed in Mayport, Florida. Captain Matthew Lehmann, Program Manager of the Littoral Combat Ship Program Office, praised the ship's delivery, stating, “Beloit is another shining example of what it means to finish strong,” highlighting the efforts of industry partners to meet tight timelines and enhance the Navy's operational capacity.

The USS Beloit follows the delivery of the previous Freedom-class ship, USS Nantucket (LCS 27), in August, with the USS Cleveland (LCS 31) expected to be delivered in 2025.

Warship Specifications: The Freedom-class vessels utilize a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system with steerable water jets. They measure 118.1 meters (387 feet) in length, with a beam of 17.6 meters (57.7 feet) and a draft of 4.3 meters (14.1 feet).

Equipped with advanced systems, the ships feature the COMBATSS-21 combat management system, an automated radio room, and an open architecture computing environment. Their self-defense capabilities include the TRS-4D Air Search Radar, a SeaRAM medium-caliber 57 mm Mk 110 gun, and decoy launching systems.

With a full load displacement of approximately 3,450 metric tons, the ships can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots (46 mph/74 km/h) and accommodate a core crew of 50 sailors, expandable to 98 depending on mission needs.

Additionally, the flight deck is significantly larger than those of traditional surface combatants, capable of supporting two MH-60 helicopters or one MH-60 helicopter alongside an MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle.