The U.S. Navy commissioned the future USS Savannah (LCS-28) as the newest Independence variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) during a 10:00 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, February 5, in Brunswick, Georgia.

Remarks were provided by the Honorable Earl L. «Buddy» Carter, U. S. Representative, Georgia’s First District; the Honorable Meredith Berger, Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy; Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command; the Honorable Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah; the Honorable Cosby Johnson, Mayor of Brunswick; and Larry Ryder, Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, Austal USA.

The ship’s sponsor is Mrs. Dianne Davison Isakson, wife of the late Honorable Johnny Isakson, former Senator from Georgia. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Mrs. Isakson, along with the Matron of Honor, her daughter Julie Isakson Mitchell, gave the first order to «man our ship and bring her to life».

«The city of Savannah, Georgia, has played an important role in our nation’s naval history», said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. «I have no doubt the Sailors of USS Savannah (LCS-28) will carry on the fighting spirit of this city and will play an important role in the defense of our nation and maritime freedom».

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.

Savannah is the 14th Independence variant LCS and the sixth ship to bear its name. LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. The platform is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.

USS Savannah (LCS-28) will homeport at Naval Base San Diego, California.

The Independence Variant of the LCS

Independence-class

Austal Limited is pleased to announce that Austal USA has delivered its 14th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy, from the company’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

Achieving significant gains in production efficiency, the future USS Savannah (LCS-28) was completed by Austal USA in just under three years, a full twelve months earlier than previous ships delivered under the same program.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of LCS-28 highlighted Austal USA’s proven capabilities to deliver multiple, complex naval shipbuilding programs efficiently, on schedule and within budget.

«Savannah is the seventh ship delivered by Austal USA to the US Navy in just 2 years, which is an incredible achievement», Mr. Gregg said. «The Austal USA team have developed industry-leading efficiencies in Mobile, to construct both the Independence-class LCS and Spearhead-class EPF on schedule and within budget. To complete Savannah in just under 3 years, a full twelve months less than previous vessels from the program, is simply outstanding. The entire Austal USA team are to be commended on their skills, drive and commitment to developing the United States’ shipbuilding industrial base, and the delivery of this latest capability to the Navy».

The Independence-class LCS is a fast, agile, and focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments, yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric «anti-access» threats, such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 128-metre/421-foot high-speed trimaran hull warship integrates new technology to support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littoral zone.

Five Independence-class LCS and two Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPF) are currently under construction at Austal USA; with two additional ships, LCS-38 and EPF-15 under contract and soon to commence construction.

Austal USA has recently been awarded a concept and preliminary design contract for the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship (LAW), which would be manufactured on Austal USA’s new steel production line. The shipyard has also been awarded a functional design contract to prepare for construction of the new steel hull Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) for the U.S. Navy.

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

The Independence Variant of the LCS

Independence-class

Austal Limited is pleased to announce that the future USS Savannah (LCS-28) has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. USS Savannah (LCS-28) is the 14th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, for the United States Navy (USN).

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the successful completion of acceptance trials by the future USS Savannah builds upon the great pride of the Austal USA team, following the recent commissioning of the USS Mobile (LCS-26) in Mobile, Alabama.

«The Austal USA team are quite rightly filled with pride and a collective sense of achievement following the recent commissioning of USS Mobile (LCS-26) in their home city, following the vessels delivery in December 2020», Mr. Gregg said.

«The successful completion of acceptance trials for Savannah, in the same week as the commissioning of Mobile, clearly demonstrates the capabilities of the Austal USA team to deliver multiple naval ship programs for the U.S. Navy, productively and efficiently».

Acceptance trials involve the execution of a number of tests by the Austal USA-led industry team while the vessel is underway; demonstrating to the United States Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. The trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship, scheduled for late June 2021.

The future USS Savannah (LCS-28) will be homeported in San Diego, with thirteen other Independence-class LCS.

The Independence-class LCS is a high-speed, shallow-draft surface combatant with an aluminium trimaran hull that provides class leading, multi-mission capability. These ships are designed to defeat growing littoral threats and provide access and dominance along coastal waters. A fast, maneuverable and networked surface-combatant, LCS provides the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute surface warfare, mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare missions.

Austal USA’s Independence-class LCS program continues at a full rate of production, with four ships currently under construction. The future USS Canberra (LCS-30) is in final assembly and will be christened on 5th June 2021; the USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) is also in final assembly, while fabrication has begun on USS Augusta (LCS-34) and USS Kingsville (LCS-36). The future USS Pierre (LCS-38) will commence fabrication later in CY2021.

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg.

The Independence Variant of the LCS

Independence-class