Austal USA announced Wednesday that it had officially handed the future USS Mobile over to the U.S. Navy.
The ship won’t bear the “USS” designation until it is formally commissioned. Details of that ceremony haven’t yet been revealed, but a commissioning committee will hold a press conference Thursday to reveal at least part of its plans. The group’s website indicates that the commissioning will take place in spring 2021.
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The Mobile, LCS-26, is the 13th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship constructed at Austal’s Mobile shipyard.
Austal made its “first cut” on metal for the ship in December 2017. It was christened amid great fanfare on Dec. 7, 2019, and completed trials in fall 2020.
Austal USA said the Mobile was the fourth ship it delivered to the Navy this year. The others include two LCSs, the Kansas City and the Oakland, and one Expeditionary Fast Transport, the USNS Newport.
“Neither the pandemic nor hurricanes impacted our ability to deliver the future USS Mobile on cost and schedule,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle, calling it “a testament to the incredible fortitude and work ethic of these amazing people from her namesake city.”
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Four more Littoral Combat Ships are under construction, according to information released Wednesday by Austal: The future USS Savannah (LCS 28) is preparing for sea trials, assembly is under way on the future USS Canberra (LCS 30) and USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), and modules for the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) are being fabricated in Austal’s module manufacturing facility, according to the company. Two more of the ships are under contract: The future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) and USS Pierre (LCS 38).
