Navy Ends Littoral Combat Ship Program After Two Decades

The U.S. Navy has commissioned USS Cleveland (LCS 31), officially closing out the Littoral Combat Ship program after more than two decades marked by cost overruns, mechanical failures, and shifting mission requirements. The ceremony took place Friday in Cleveland, Ohio, with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao praising the crew as the ship entered active service.

Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-variant LCS built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. More significantly, it is the last Littoral Combat Ship expected to enter the fleet, bringing an end to one of the Navy’s most debated modern shipbuilding efforts.

The Navy previously commissioned USS Pierre (LCS 38), the final Independence-variant vessel, in late 2025. The LCS class consists of two variants: the Freedom-class steel monohull built by Lockheed Martin in Marinette, Wisconsin, and the Independence-class aluminum trimaran built by Austal USA.

Originally launched in the early 2000s, the LCS program aimed to deliver fast, modular warships capable of operating in contested near-shore environments. However, the program became plagued by delays, reliability problems, and escalating criticism over survivability and combat capability.

The Navy increasingly pivots toward more heavily armed and survivable platforms such as the Constellation-class frigate. This shift is likely to impact the LCS program's legacy and the future of the Navy's shipbuilding efforts.

Despite the controversy surrounding the class, Navy officials continue to defend the ships’ role in distributed maritime operations. The Navy sees the Littoral Combat Ships as fast, agile, mission-focused warships designed to operate in near-shore environments.

Cleveland is the fourth Navy ship to bear the city’s name. Earlier vessels served in conflicts ranging from World War I to Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.

The ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Bruce Hallett, told the crew they would define the vessel’s legacy despite the broader controversy surrounding the class. The crew's dedication and commitment will be crucial in shaping the LCS program's future.

Following commissioning, Cleveland will transit to its homeport at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.