The U.S. Navy christened the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) as the newest, and final, Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship on Saturday in a ceremony at Mobile, Ala. 

Pierre is the 19th Independence-variant LCS, and the second ship named after Pierre, S.D., according to the Navy.

The USS Pierre will go through months of sea trials before being handed over to the the Navy. A commissioning ceremony for the ship will be held in San Diego next year. The process of the USS Pierre began in 2019.

Vice Adm. Francis Morley, a deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, gave the principal address. Also in attendance were U.S. Sen. Thune of South Dakota; Steve Harding, the mayor of Pierre; Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson; Michelle Kruger, the president of Austal USA; and ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens.

The LCS is a fast, agile ship designed to operate in near-shore environments, according to the Navy. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

The LCS class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two separate industry teams. The Independence-variant team is led by Austal USA.