Description
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. It is a class of small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

Features
LCS are equipped with modular mission packages that enable them to rapidly re-configure and execute a wide range of missions.

These mission packages enhance warfighting capabilities in two primary mission areas: Mine Countermeasures (MCM) and Surface Warfare (SUW). These mission packages are modular and can be swapped out depending on the operational needs, providing maximum versatility to Fleet commanders to execute a variety of operations.

The lethality and capability of LCS are continually improved through the addition of various systems, including the Naval Strike Missile and the MK-70 Payload Delivery System, as well as through integration with a wide range of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), such as the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) USVs.

Background
The LCS class consists of two variants: the Freedom and the Independence. The Freedom variant, a steel monohull design, is constructed by Lockheed Martin at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Independence variant, an aluminum trimaran design, is built by Austal USA at their Mobile, Alabama shipyard. These ships are designed to operate in littoral zones and perform a variety of missions, including mine countermeasures and surface warfare with modular mission packages tailored to specific operational needs.

The LCS program was launched in 2002 as part of an effort to develop a new class of fast, agile, and versatile warships capable of performing a wide range of tasks in the littoral regions. The ships' design incorporates advanced technologies and modular systems, allowing for rapid reconfiguration to meet the demands of evolving mission requirements.

LCS ships are assigned to both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, divided by variant into two squadrons: Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 (LCSRON ONE), homeported in San Diego, California, where the Independence variant is based, and Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 (LCSRON TWO), homeported in Mayport, Florida, where the Freedom variant operates.

Over time, the LCS class has become a key part of the Navy’s strategic shift towards operations in littoral waters, supporting a wide range of missions and contributing to the Navy’s overall capabilities in these critical areas. The class's flexibility allows it to respond quickly to emerging threats and operational requirements, enhancing the Navy's ability to maintain presence and deter adversaries in contested coastal waters.

The LCS program is notable not only for its innovative design and construction approach but also for its emphasis on enhancing fleet operational readiness through a combination of efficient design, tailored training, and effective sustainment practices.

A total of 35 LCS have been constructed. LCS 31 and 38 are in the final stages of construction.