The following is text of a news release from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA):
(WASHINGTON) — The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) during a ceremony at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) shipyard in Marinette, Wis., on Friday.
The future USS Indianapolis is the ninth Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) designed and built by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette. Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. It is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for Oct. 26 in Burns Harbor, Ind. Indianapolis’ home port will be Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
“This is a tremendous day for the Navy and our nation with the delivery of the future USS Indianapolis, which will carry into her future an important naval legacy," said LCS program manager Capt. Mike Taylor. “I look forward to celebrating the commissioning of this great ship alongside the crew later this year. This ship will play an essential role in in carrying out our nation’s maritime strategy.”
Honoring the capital and largest city in Indiana, LCS 17 will be the fourth ship named Indianapolis in naval service. The first was a cargo ship (ID 3865) commissioned in 1918. The second was a Portland-class heavy cruiser (CA 35) that earned 10 battle stars for distinguished World War II service operating from Pearl Harbor and throughout the Pacific escorting convoys and attacking enemy submarines. Its service ended when the ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo minutes after midnight July 30, 1945. Only 317 of the 1,196 sailors serving aboard the ship survived after five days afloat in the Pacific. The third USS Indianapolis was a Los Angeles-class attack submarine (SSN 697), decommissioned in 1998.
The future USS Indianapolis was christened on April 18, 2018. Sister ship the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) was christened on June 15 and the future USS Billings (LCS 15) is being commissioned on Aug. 3. The future USS St. Louis (LCS 19), Cooperstown (LCS 23), Marinette (LCS 25), Nantucket (LCS 27), Beloit (LCS 29) and Cleveland (LCS 31) are all in varying stages of construction at FMM.
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, while capable of open-ocean tasking and winning against 21st-century coastal threats such as submarines, mines and swarming small craft. They are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.
