The US Navy announced the names of further two littoral combat ships (LCS) on October 9.
The Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer said the next Independence-variant LCS would be named USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and the next Freedom-variant LCS would be named USS Beloit (LCS 29).
Names of LCS 29 and LCS 32 were announced a day after the SECNAV announced that another LCS would be named USS Cleveland. While the navy did not specify, the USS Cleveland is likely the LCS 34 which was ordered by the navy together with future USS Santa Barbara and USS Beloit in September this year .
The future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) is named in honor of Santa Barbara, Calif. and is the third ship to bear the name. It will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
“I am pleased to name the next Independence variant LCS after the city of Santa Barbara,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “This city’s innovative workforce and longstanding support of our Navy and Marine Corps team, whether active duty, reserve force, civilian or Veterans, the support from this community strengthens our Navy and nation.”
The future USS Beloit (LCS 29) is named in honor of Beloit, Wis. and is the first ship to bear the name.
The Navy has accepted delivery of 16 LCss. Including the recent contract modifications, a total of 32 LCSs have been procured with 10 ships under construction (LCS 15, 17, 19-26).