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LCS-36 Kingsville

Austal USA announced, on 17 December 2018, that the service awarded a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract to the company to build LCS-36, an Independence class variant. The combined capability of the LCSs and LCS mission systems is designed to dominate the littoral battle space and provide U.S. forces with assured access to coastal areas. The fast and agile littoral combat ships provide the required war fighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute a variety of missions in areas such as mine warfare, antisubmarine warfare, and surface warfare.

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced 04 February 2019 that the next Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship will be named USS Kingsville (LCS 36). The future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) is named in honor of the city of Kingsville, Texas, and is the first ship to bear the name.

"I am pleased to name a future Independence-variant LCS USS Kingsville," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. "The citizens of Kingsville have been steadfast partners to the Navy and Marine Corps team and their enduring support of our future strike fighter pilots have helped make the city of Kingsville the gateway for naval aviators. I am confident this ship will continue that legacy of service for decades to come."

The future USS Kingsville will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. This ship will be 419 feet long with a beam length of 104 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The Navy had accepted delivery of 17 littoral combat ships (LCS). Including the recent contract modifications, a total of 35 LCSs have been procured with 11 ships under construction (LCS 17, 19-26) and seven more ships in pre-construction (LCS 29 - 32, 34, 36, 38).

The LCS is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare missions. LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.