US Navy’s Future USS Little Rock Launched

US Navy’s future USS Little Rock was officially launched into the Menominee River at the Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) shipyard on July 18.

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team launched the nation’s ninth littoral combat ship (LCS). The ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Janee Bonner, christened Little Rock (LCS 9) with the traditional smashing of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow just prior to the launch.

Following christening and launch, Little Rock will continue to undergo outfitting and testing before delivery to the Navy later this year.

Vice President of Littoral Ships & Systems, Joe North, said:

This future USS Little Rock will use interchangeable mission modules that empower her to face a variety of high-priority missions, from Anti-Surface Warfare to Anti-Submarine Warfare to Mine Countermeasures. She is ideally suited to navigate the reefs and shallows in the Asia-Pacific, as so well demonstrated by USS Fort Worth on her current deployment.

The Little Rock is one of seven littoral combat ships under construction at Marinette Marine.

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Image: Lockheed Martin