US Navy Commissions Final Independence-Variant Ship USS Pierre

The United States Navy commissioned the USS Pierre (LCS 38) on November 15, 2025, in Panama City, Florida. Built by Austal USA, the vessel is the 19th and final ship of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship line. The ship is designed for anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and rapid response in littoral environments. During acceptance trials in June, the vessel achieved the highest quality score of any LCS in 15 years.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan delivered the keynote address, stating that the commissioning is a critical step toward global maritime dominance and noting President Trump's commitment to restoring American shipbuilding capacity. Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens officially ordered the crew, commanded by Cmdr. Justin Guernsey, to man the ship and bring it to life. The vessel is named in honor of Pierre, South Dakota.

The delivery of the USS Pierre marks the end of the Independence-variant class as the Navy shifts its priority toward producing Constellation-class frigates. This transition follows various propulsion and hull issues that affected both the Independence and Freedom variants, as well as criticism regarding high costs and design flaws. While some LCS vessels are being scrapped, others are being repurposed for counter-smuggling and mine-hunting operations in the Caribbean. The USS Pierre is scheduled to depart Florida the week following its commissioning and arrive at its homeport in San Diego in December.