Corpus Christi, Texas (August 18, 2024) The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kingsville arrive in the city of Corpus Christi through Corpus Christi Bay ahead of her commissioning ceremony. LCS 36 is the first U.S. Navy warship to honor the city of Kingsville, Texas (Navy photo by MCS 2nd Class Nicholas V. Huynh) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffThe Navy commissioned its latest littoral combat ship (LCS), the USS Kingsville, during a recent ceremony in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Independence-variant vessel is the 18th of its class. It features the capability to operate both close to shore and in open sea on coastal threat-mitigation, forward-presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence missions.
“The ship will provide maritime security in each of our fleet operations,” said Russell Rumbaugh, Deputy Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller.
Kingsville and the other vessels in the Independence Variant have a range of 3,500 nautical miles at roughly 14 knots, and about 1,000 nautical miles at full speed. The variant carries crews of fewer than 50 sailors, with the ability to accommodate 75. The hangar decks are the largest of any surface variant, and can handle two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
With their open architecture, the ships can be quickly equipped with interchangeable modular mission packages.
“Modularity maximizes the flexibility of LCS and enables commanders to meet changing warfare needs, while also supporting faster, easier technological updates,” according to a Navy description of the variant.
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