US arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp has announced that the US Navy commissioned its newest littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS-21) on May 21, 2022, in Duluth , Minnesota.
“The flexibility, adaptability and relevance that the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul will bring to the fleet is second to none. LCS 21 is ready for tomorrow’s threats, providing her crew with the flexibility to deploy advanced capabilities to thwart our adversaries,” said Jon Rambeau, vice president and general manager of Integrated Combat Systems and Sensors at Lockheed Martin.
Unique among combat ships, today the LCS is deployed for nearshore missions and is an ever-growing and relevant part of the Navy fleet. Over the last year, Freedom variant Littoral combat ships have assisted the Navy in various missions, including several anti-drug deployments in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of million dollars of drugs. Its speed, power and versatility make it an important tool to help sailors achieve their mission. Recently, the Freedom-class warship was commissioned for the first time to the US 6th Fleet as a measure of assurance for NATO allies and partners in Europe and Africa.
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Minneapolis-Saint Paul was launched and christened on June 15, 2019. The ship completed acceptance trials on August 21, 2020, and was transferred to the United States Navy on August 18. November 2021. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is the second naval ship to be honored with the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul will be brought home at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
The Lockheed Martin-led LCS team includes shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine, naval architects Gibbs & Cox, and more than 800 suppliers in 42 states. Built at the Midwest’s only naval shipyard, LCS manufacturing supports 12,500 jobs in the United States, including more than 7,500 in Wisconsin and Michigan. Lockheed Martin is in full production and has delivered 11 to the US Navy. There are five ships in different stages of production.
