U.S. Navy’s newest 3,000-ton warship, USS Pierre, can hunt submarines 5,000 miles from home, combining speed, modularity, and advanced combat systems.
United States Navy has commissioned the USS Pierre (LCS 38), the final ship in its Independence-class littoral combat program, highlighting the Navy’s push for agile, long-range surface vessels capable of modern maritime warfare. The commissioning ceremony was held at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Florida.
Built by Austal USA in Alabama, USS Pierre is the second Navy ship to carry the name of South Dakota’s capital. The vessel will be home-ported in San Diego, California, where it is expected to support operations spanning coastal waters to open ocean environments, including anti-submarine patrols thousands of miles from the United States.
USS Pierre’s trimaran hull design sets it apart from other US Navy surface ships. Constructed primarily from aluminum, the three-hull layout reduces drag, increases stability at high speeds, and allows a shallow draft under 14 feet—essential for near-shore operations. The design also provides one of the largest flight decks outside of aircraft carriers, along with an expansive mission bay for versatile operations.
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Measuring 418 feet in length with a 104-foot beam, USS Pierre displaces roughly 3,000 metric tons. Propelled by a combined diesel and gas turbine system driving waterjets, it can exceed 40 knots and maintain a range of 4,300 nautical miles (5,000 miles). This combination of speed and endurance allows the ship to operate far from home ports in contested waters.
The ship’s modular design supports a range of mission packages, including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine operations. Its mission bay can deploy rigid-hull boats, unmanned surface vessels, and underwater drones, while its flight deck supports MH-60 helicopters and unmanned aerial systems.
USS Pierre carries advanced combat systems, including the SeaRAM missile defense system, a 57 mm Mk 110 gun, and an integrated networked suite linking air, surface, and subsurface sensors. Its command center enables real-time coordination with aircraft, unmanned systems, allied naval forces, and joint operations.
Although the Navy has slowed expansion of the littoral combat ship fleet, the Independence-class remains a high-speed, shallow-draft platform suited for modern naval challenges. USS Pierre’s commissioning closes the production chapter of the program while cementing its role as a platform for cutting-edge experimentation in unmanned and networked maritime warfare.