SECNAV: Another Austal LCS named

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer's office announced in a news release Feb. 5 that the next Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship will be named USS Pierre (LCS 38) for the capital city of South Dakota. It is the second ship to bear the name. The future USS Pierre will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. The Navy has accepted delivery of 17 LCS, including recent contract modifications, for a grand total of 35 procured. Eleven ships are under construction (LCS 17, 19-26) and seven more ships in preconstruction stage (LCS 29-32, 34, 36, 38). Austal USA builds even-numbered LCS hulls. (Source: Seapower Magazine 02/05/19)