US Navy commissioned 13th Littoral Combat Ship USS Wichita (LCS-13)

The Freedom-class LCS USS Wichita (LCS-13). Photo c/o Navy Live.

The US Navy commissioned its 13th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Freedom-class ship USS Wichita (LCS-13) during ceremonies last 12 January 2019 at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, where it is to be homeported.

While being the 13th LCS, it is also the 7th Freedom-class LCS, as the US Navy concurrently build and operate another LCS design, the trimaran-hulled Independence-class.

The Freedom-class LCS was designed by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, and was built in their Marinette Marine yard in Wisconsin, and was launched on 17 September 2016.

USS Wichita can travel at a speed in excess of 40 knots, and is armed with a Mk. 110 57mm gun, RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile system, Mk. 50 torpedoes, and 30mm Bushmaster guns. It also has  air assets including the Sikorsky MH-60R/S Seahawk naval helicopter, and the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter.

The new ship is the third to be named after the city from Kansas. After a World War II-era heavy cruiser, and Vietnam War-era replenishment vessel.



[1] Fox 11 News Wisconsin
[2] Shephard Media
[3] Stars and Stripes
[4] Navy Recognition