First LCS commissioned

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - USS Freedom, the nation's first littoral combat ship (LCS), was commissioned Saturday. The 378-foot ship is a semi-planing steel monohull designed for close-to-shore work. It can reach speeds over 40 knots and is intended for mine, anti-submarine and surface warfare. The ship, which will be homeported in San Diego, Calif., was built by Lockheed Martin with team members Gibbs & Cox, Marinette Marine Corp., and Bollinger Shipyards. (Source: PRNewswire, 11/08/08)