The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of the USS Cleveland (LCS 31), the 16th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, concluding more than two decades of construction and acquisition work on the class.
Cleveland’s delivery from Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wis., marks the end of the Freedom-variant production line. “The delivery of USS Cleveland, our final Freedom-variant LCS, symbolizes the U.S. Navy’s unwavering vigilance and a steadfast commitment to protecting national interest and ensuring global stability,” said Jay Iungerich, acting deputy program manager of the LCS Program Office (PMS 501).
The ship is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2026 in Cleveland before moving to its homeport of Mayport, Fla. Once operational, LCS 31 will support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions.
“With the final Freedom-variant LCS now delivered, we celebrate the successful outcome of years of innovation and commitment,” said Melissa Kirkendall, Program Executive Officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC). “This highly capable and lethal warship is ready to assert maritime dominance and protect global waters with unparalleled precision and power.”
USS Cleveland is the fourth Navy vessel to carry the city’s name. The first, USS Cleveland (C-19/CL-21), was commissioned in 1903 and served as the Atlantic Fleet flagship and a convoy escort during World War I. The second, USS Cleveland (CL-55), entered service in 1942 and fought throughout the Pacific campaign in World War II before decommissioning in 1947. The third, USS Cleveland (LPD-9), served from 1976 to 2011, including deployments supporting Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The LCS class is designed for fast, agile operations in near-shore environments, capable of independent missions or integration with larger surface combatants as part of a networked force.
