Key West, Florida. 14 August 2019. The US Navy’s eighth Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Billings (LCS 15) has been commissioned into the Navy, the ship is now in the active service of US Navy. The LCS is the unique class among warships, the ship is developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin to perform close-to-shore mission.
“Billings was designed to operate and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. She is equipped and ready for today’s threats and easily modifiable to meet the threats we may not even be aware of yet. Our team is confident Billings will be what the Navy needs when the fleet needs it,” commented Joe DePietro, Vice-President of Small Combatants and Ship Systems at Lockheed Martin.
USS Billings is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots, it is automated and equipped with Rolling Airframe Missile and a Mark 110 naval gun which can fire 220 rounds per Minute.
USS Billings Commanding Officer, Commander Nathan Rowan, asserted, “Having now commanded two freedom class LCS variants, I would like to report that these ships are truly impressive and will fit well in the niche they have been designed for. They are fast, maneuverable, and their weapon systems are some of the most accurate I’ve witnessed on any platform of which I’ve previously served.”
The ship also can be fitted with Longbow Hellfire Missiles, 30 mm guns, and manned and unmanned vehicles targeted to complete present and future missions.
“On behalf of the proud 2,000 men and women who transform flat steel into a fast, agile surface combatant. We are honored to support the U.S. Navy, and we congratulate the outstanding crew of the USS Billings,” commented Jan Allman, CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine.
The next ship of Freedom-class is LCS 17, the upcoming USS Indianapolis, which was sent by the end of July. Currently, Seven Vessels in various phases of construction and test at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, where the Freedom-variant LCS is built.
