The U.S. Navy has received the future USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) from Austal USA, which will be the 10th Independence variant to join the service’s fleet of littoral combat ships. The company delivered the ship to the Navy during a ceremony at the company’s facility in Mobile, Ala., Naval Sea Systems Command said Friday. The Navy completed acceptance trials of USS Cincinnati in early February. The service aims to commission the ship this fall in Gulfport, Miss.Â
“I look forward to celebrating the commissioning of this great ship alongside the crew later this year,†said Capt. Mike Taylor, LCS program manager. “This ship will play an essential role in carrying out our nation’s maritime strategy.â€Â
Austal USA is developing five more Independence-variant ships. The company hopes to deliver the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) this fall, while the future USS Oakland (LCS 24), Mobile (LCS 26), Savannah (LCS 28) and Canberra (LCS 30) are in early stages of construction. The Navy expects to acquire four additional LCS after accepting USS Canberra.
