The USS Pierre
The USS Pierre (LCS‑38) stands as a milestone in U.S. naval history — not only as the newest littoral combat ship (LCS), but also as the final Independence-variant vessel in its class.
Commissioned on November 15, 2025 in Panama City, Florida, Pierre marks the end of a nearly two-decade shipbuilding program for the U.S. Navy.
The ship is named for Pierre, the capital city of South Dakota — a tribute to the city’s legacy of service and patriotism.
In fact, Pierre is the third U.S. vessel to carry the name, following the World War II–era merchant ship SS Pierre Victory and the submarine chaser USS Pierre (PC-1141).
Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, USS Pierre features the distinctive trimaran hull of the Independence-class LCS.
This aluminum triple-hull design grants the ship remarkable stability, speed, and maneuverability — especially in shallow coastal waters. Its wide beam supports a large flight deck and an internal mission bay, allowing room for modular mission packages.
The ship measures about 418 feet in length, with a beam of roughly 104 feet and a draft under 14 feet.
Powered by two gas turbines, two diesel engines, four waterjets, and a retractable azimuth thruster, Pierre can achieve speeds over 40 knots, and even sprint up to 47 knots.
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She also boasts a cruising range of about 4,300 nautical miles at 20 knots.
As a littoral combat ship, Pierre is built for versatility. Her mission bay can be reconfigured to support a variety of tasks — from mine countermeasures and surface warfare to deploying unmanned systems.
Onboard sensors and electronics are modern and sophisticated: a Sea Giraffe 3D surface/air radar, Bridgemaster‑E navigation radar, AN/KAX-2 electro-optical/infrared sensors, and an electronic support system (ESM) all support her missions.
For self-defense, Pierre carries a BAE Systems Mk 110 57mm gun, four .50-caliber machine guns, and an 11-cell SeaRAM missile launcher.
The flight deck and hangar can handle two MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles like the MQ‑8 Fire Scout.
The acceptance trials for Pierre — held in June 2025 — were especially impressive: she reportedly earned the highest quality score of any LCS tested in the past 15 years.
Her delivery to the Navy was officially accepted on July 11, 2025, marking the completion of the Independence-variant program.
This ship represents the culmination of a sustained acquisition effort stretching back to the early 2000s.
The Independence-class LCS fleet was envisioned to bring fast, modular, and flexible capabilities to littoral (coastal) operations — and Pierre embodies that vision.
Following her commissioning, USS Pierre is slated to join the U.S. Pacific Fleet, with a homeport in San Diego.
Her intended mission aligns with the LCS doctrine: forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence — operating independently or in concert with larger Navy warships.
As the last of her kind, Pierre is more than just a new ship; she’s a symbol of transition. Her entry into service closes a chapter in naval shipbuilding, even as her modular platform and lessons learned from her class are likely to inform the next generation of U.S. surface combatants.
Nautical Mile Magazine
