Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Kingsville is a 422-foot aluminum-hull trimaran that is designed to operate in shallow, near-shore waters, primarily to identify and neutralize mines and to conduct maritime security. (Tad Denson, Airwind.com; Austal USA/Facebook)
(Tribune News Service) — USS Kingsville, one of the last Independence-class littoral combat ships built for the Navy, has successfully completed acceptance trials and will become homeported in San Diego later this year.
The date for the ship’s arrival has yet to be announced.
Kingsville is a 422-foot aluminum-hull trimaran that is designed to operate in shallow, near-shore waters, primarily to identify and neutralize mines and to conduct maritime security. Indy-class LCS are capable of traveling nearly 50 mph in ideal sea conditions, making them among the fastest vessels in the Navy.
There are currently 16 LCS operating out of San Diego Bay, although two — USS Jackson and USS Montgomery — might be decommissioned in the next year or two.
Kingsville was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., where a sister ship, the future USS Pierre, is under construction.
Many LCS will be replaced by the new Constellation-class frigates now under development by the Navy. The first of those vessels won’t be ready until at least 2027.
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