The U.S. Navy has officially commissioned the USS Cleveland (LCS 31), marking the end of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program after over twenty years filled with budget issues, mechanical problems, and changing missio...
The U.S. Navy has officially commissioned the USS Cleveland (LCS 31), marking the end of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program after over twenty years filled with budget issues, mechanical problems, and changing mission goals.
The ceremony was held on Friday in Cleveland, Ohio, where Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao praised the crew as the ship began its active service.
“Today we celebrate the sailors who bring this ship to life,” Cao said during the event. “To the officers and crew of USS Cleveland, today is your day.”
Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-class LCS built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. More importantly, it is the last Littoral Combat Ship expected to join the fleet, closing a chapter on one of the Navy's most discussed modern shipbuilding programs.
Previously, the Navy commissioned the USS Pierre (LCS 38), the final vessel of the Independence variant, in late 2025.
The LCS class consists of two types: the steel monohull Freedom-class built by Lockheed Martin and the aluminum trimaran Independence-class built by Austal USA. A total of 35 LCS ships have been built.
Launched in the early 2000s, the LCS program aimed to create fast and modular warships that could operate in challenging near-shore waters. The ships were designed with interchangeable mission modules for tasks like mine detection, anti-submarine warfare, and surface engagements.
However, the program faced many delays, reliability issues, and rising criticism about their ability to survive in combat, especially as the Pentagon focused more on high-end conflict scenarios in the Indo-Pacific region.
Some LCS ships have been retired earlier than planned, while the Navy is increasingly turning to more heavily armed and resilient platforms like the Constellation-class frigate.
Despite this, Navy officials still emphasize the importance of LCS in distributed maritime operations.
“Littoral Combat Ships are fast, agile, mission-focused warships designed to operate in near-shore areas against 21st-century threats,” the Navy stated in its commissioning announcement.
Cleveland is the fourth naval ship to be named after the city. Previous ships participated in various conflicts, from World War I to Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.
Cmdr. Bruce Hallett, the ship’s commanding officer, told the crew that they will help shape the legacy of the vessel, despite the controversies surrounding its class.
“You are not just serving on this ship,” Hallett said. “You are writing the first chapter of her history.”
After the commissioning ceremony, USS Cleveland will head to its homeport at Naval Station Mayport in Florida.