The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a class of Small Surface Combatants armed with capabilities focused on defeating global challenges in the littorals. LCS is designed to provide joint force access in the littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat environments as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants.

LCSs are assigned by variant to Atlantic and Pacific Fleets in order to enhance alignment of sustainment activities. As of June 2021, the ships are divided into two squadrons: Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 (LCSRON ONE) in San Diego and Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 (LCSRON TWO) in Mayport, Florida.  The Freedom variant is based in Mayport, while the Independence variant is homeported in San Diego. Both variants can execute the primary warfare mission of surface warfare. Other mission modules are in testing.  As of June 2021, most crews are manned with Blue and Gold rotational crew model, allowing increased forward deployed presence. There are also training ships that remain available to support readiness generation needs of off-hull crews.