Navy: 3 LCS to deploy in 2019

Without giving too many specifics, Vice Commander of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran said Jan. 15 that the Navy is optimistic that Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) will deploy this year at "100 percent fit and 100 percent full." Last week, the commander of Naval Surface Forces said the Navy plans to deploy three LCS in 2019 - two Austal USA-built ships from San Diego (USS Montgomery, LCS-8, and USS Gabrielle Giffords, LCS-10) and one (USS Detroit, LCS-7) from Mayport, Fla. The deployments would mark a return to the sea for nearly two years. Even-numbered hulls are built by Austal USA of Mobile, Ala. The USS Coronado, LCS 4, is now considered a prototype vessel, returned to San Diego in December 2017 from an 18-month deployment to the Pacific. Odd-numbered hulls are built at Marinette (Wis.) Marine by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. The Navy had intended to send three ships on deployment in FY 2018 after the overhaul, but it never happened. USS Little Rock, LCS-9, is slated to deploy in early in FY-20. (Source: Military.com 01/16/19)