Littoral Warfare Ship Photo Index

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By And/Or Copyright
1502001a	102k	27 May 2004: Washington DC - The U.S. Navy announced today that General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). (Artist concept provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy of General Dynamics, Photo #040527-O-0000G-004, from the Navy Newstand)	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Navsource DE/FF/LCS Archive Manager
1502001b	492k	undated: Mobile, Ala. - An aerial view of the Austal USA shipyard, the American branch of operations for Australian shipbuilder Austal. Founded in 1999 along the west bank of Blakely Island on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama. The shipyard was initially engaged in building high-speed aluminum ferries, such as the *Lake Express* for service across Lake Michigan, and the *Alakai* for Hawaii Superferry. Construction on the first Littoral Combat Ship of the USS *Independence* variant was begun in 2006. In conjunction with the General Dynamics Corp., all of the planned Independence Class LCS's will be built here. (Photo courtesy of AUSTAL, USA)
274k 269k 155k Tuesday, 05 January 2021: Mobile, Ala. Prior to the cutting of the first sheet of medal for the construction of the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), AUSTAL USA shipyard workers prepare for the "First Cut" ceremony. Afterward, the button is pushed for the cutting machine to start and construction actually begins. Pierre will be the second ship named after Pierre, South Dakota to serve the U.S. Navy. The first was USS Pierre (PC-1141), a PC-461 class 173 foot submarine chaser from World War II. She served from 23 December 1943 to 28 October 1958. (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1538001 - 1538002 - 1538003
311k 420k 218k 233k 282k 288k Friday, 16 June 2023: Mobile, Ala. Austal USA celebrated the keel laying of the future littoral combat ship USS *Pierre* (LCS 38) at its ship manufacturing facility. *Pierre* will be an Independence-variant LCS, one of 18 the Navy has contracted Austal to build. The ship is the second U. S. Navy ship named for the city of Pierre, South Dakota. A keel laying ceremony is the formal recognition of the start of a ship’s construction. At Austal USA, the keel laying symbolically recognizes module erection in final assembly and the ceremonial beginning of a ship. The ship’s sponsor is Larissa Thune Hargens. Hargens, a native of South Dakota, graduated from Bethel University. The call to serve runs deep in her family, and she is involved with a non-profit incentive program that helps limited-income pregnant women in Sioux Falls. Her father is U.S. Senator John Thune and her grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) on the USS *Intrepid* (CV 11) during World War II. As the keel authenticator, Hargens welded her initials onto an aluminum keel plate with the assistance of Austal USA A-class welder, Hon Tran. “I am so honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity to sponsor the future USS Pierre,” stated Hargens. “It is a privilege to be a part of this time-honored tradition and to have my initials welded to a plate that will become a part of the ship’s keel. I look forward to participating in the important milestones throughout the life of the USS Pierre, and to building a lifelong relationship with the ship and the sailors that will make up her crew. May God bless the USS Pierre.” (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1538004 - 1538005 - 1538006 - 1538007 - 1538008 - 1538009	S. Dale Hargrave Newport News, Va.
1.) 145k 2.) 247k 3.) 199k 4.) 181k 5.) 243k 6.) 479k Friday, 17 May 2024: Mobile, Ala. On the Friday evening before Pierre's christening a Sponsor's Reception was held at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. At the reception the ship's sponsor is honored with gifts and momentoes of the occasion. In photo #2, sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens receives an engraved silver service tray by a representative of the Mobile Council of the Navy League of the United States. In photo #3 she's receiving a Secretary of the Navy sponsor's certificate from Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, commander Naval Systems Command. View #4 shows her receiving a certificate from the Cheif of Naval Operations being presented by Vice Admiral Frank Morley, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. View #5 shows Mrs. Hargens being presented with original artwork of the future USS Pierre, done by naval architect and artist Peter K. Hsu. Mr. Hsu has done a picture like this one for every LCS placed into commission. (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1.) 1538010 - 2.) 1538011 - 3.) 1538012 - 4.) 1538013 - 5.) 1538014 - 6.) 1538015	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Manager, Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive
1.) 357k 2.) 308k 3.) 391k 4.) 304k 5.) 350k Saturday, 18 May 2024: Mobile, Ala. The actual christening of Pierre takes place on Saturday morning in it's building shed. After a short ceremony sponsor Larissa Hargens breaks the traditional bottle of champagne on the ship's bow and a short reception is held afterwards. (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1.) 1538016 - 2.) 1538017 - 3.) 1538018 - 4.) 1538019 - 5.) 1538020
1.) 331k 2.) 371k 3.) 356k 4.) 241k 5.) 262k 6.) 323k 7.) 304k 8.) 286k 9.) 367k 10.) 437k Wednesday, 29 May 2024: Mobile, Ala. This series of ten photos shows the future USS Pierre being rolled out of her building shed onto a barge. Tugs will take the barge downriver to BAE Systems where she'll be transferred into a floating drydock. She'll then be sunk in the drydock, floated out, and towed back to Austal's fitting out dock, where she'll be completed. (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1.) 1538021 - 2.) 1538022 - 3.) 1538023 - 4.) 1538024 - 5.) 1538025 6.) 1538026 - 7.) 1538027 - 8.) 1538028 - 9.) 1538029 - 10.) 1538030
1538045	241k	11 June 2025: Mobile, Ala. - The future USS Pierre (LCS 38) as she heads down the Mobile River, heading for the Gulf of America to begin her Acceptance Sea Trials. Acceptance Trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy later this year. The Trials give Austal USA the ability to identify any problems with the vessel before it's delivered to the Navy. (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #250620-A-GB562-1001* by Karli Yeager, Naval Sea Systems Command, from* the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)
1.) avy 2.) 667k 3.) 608k 4.) 772k 5.) 694k 6.) 678k 7.) 670k 8.) 930k Monday, 23 June 2025: The Gulf of America This series of eight photos shows the future USS Pierre conducting "Sea Trials" in the Gulf of America. If successful, the trials will be considered her final acceptance sea trials before the Navy takes ownership of the ship. (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1.) 1538031 - 2.) 1538032 - 3.) 1538033 - 4.) 1538034 5.) 1538036 - 6.) 1538037 - 7.) 1538038 - 8.) 1538039
1.) 403k 2.) 448k 3.) 709k 4.) 163k 5.) 240k 6.) 343k Friday, 11 July 2025: Mobile, Ala. The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) from Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama on 11 July 2025. Pierre is the 19th and final ship marking the completion of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) construction phase—a sustained acquisition effort involving Navy personnel, industry partners, and program management teams for over two decades. Pierre successfully completed acceptance trials the week of 09 June, achieving the highest measured quality score of any LCS in the past 15 years. This performance reflects the notable progress made over the course of the program and the expertise honed by the LCS shipbuilding and acquisition teams. “The delivery of the final Independence-variant LCS marks the end of a chapter, but not the story,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Program Office. “The LCS program, for all its complexities, has pushed the boundaries of naval design and operational concepts. The LCS represents a bold vision for a more agile and adaptable Navy. We are seeing the Fleet operating these ships with the advanced mission packages they were designed for and they are continuing to evolve those operational concepts as more unmanned technologies come online." (Photos courtesy of Austal USA) 1.) 1538039 - 2.) 1538040 - 3.) 1538041 - 4.) 1538042 - 5.) 1538043 - 6.) 1538044
1.) 533k 2.) 386k 3.) 578k 4.) 196k 5.) 809k 6.) 503k Friday, 07 November 2025: Panama City, Fla. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) arrives in Panama City, Fla. ahead of her commissioning ceremony on 07 November 2025. Pierre is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear this name and will be the final Independence-variant LCS to be commissioned in the U.S. Navy. Pierre will be commissioned in Panama City on 15 November. (U.S. Navy photos 1, 2, 5, 6 by Eddie Green, 3, 4 by Bob Lindee from the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service) 1.) 1538046 (251107-N-UI581-1002) - 2.) 1538047 (251107-N-UI581-1001) - 3.) 1538048 (251107-N-YT960-1004) 4.) 1538049 (251107-N-YT960-1005) - 5.) 1538050 (251107-N-UI581-1002) - 6.) 1538051 (251107-N-UI581-1003)

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1502001a

102k

27 May 2004: Washington DC - The U.S. Navy announced today that General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP).

(Artist concept provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy of General Dynamics, Photo #040527-O-0000G-004, from the Navy Newstand)

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager

1502001b

492k

undated: Mobile, Ala. - An aerial view of the Austal USA shipyard, the American branch of operations for Australian shipbuilder Austal. Founded in 1999 along the west bank of Blakely Island on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama. The shipyard was initially engaged in building high-speed aluminum ferries, such as the Lake Express for service across Lake Michigan, and the Alakai for Hawaii Superferry. Construction on the first Littoral Combat Ship of the USS Independence variant was begun in 2006. In conjunction with the General Dynamics Corp., all of the planned Independence Class LCS's will be built here.

(Photo courtesy of AUSTAL, USA)

274k

269k

155k

Tuesday, 05 January 2021: Mobile, Ala.
Prior to the cutting of the first sheet of medal for the construction of the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), AUSTAL USA shipyard workers prepare for the "First Cut" ceremony.
Afterward, the button is pushed for the cutting machine to start and construction actually begins. Pierre will be the second ship named after Pierre, South Dakota to serve the
U.S. Navy. The first was USS Pierre (PC-1141), a PC-461 class 173 foot submarine chaser from World War II. She served from 23 December 1943 to 28 October 1958.

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1538001 - 1538002 - 1538003

311k

420k

218k

233k

282k

288k

Friday, 16 June 2023: Mobile, Ala.

Austal USA celebrated the keel laying of the future littoral combat ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) at its ship manufacturing facility. Pierre will be an Independence-variant LCS, one of 18 the Navy has contracted Austal to build. The ship is the second U. S. Navy ship named for the city of Pierre, South Dakota. A keel laying ceremony is the formal recognition of the start of a ship’s construction. At Austal USA, the keel laying symbolically recognizes module erection in final assembly and the ceremonial beginning of a ship. The ship’s sponsor is Larissa Thune Hargens. Hargens, a native of South Dakota, graduated from Bethel University. The call to serve runs deep in her family, and she is involved with a non-profit incentive program that helps limited-income pregnant women in Sioux Falls. Her father is U.S. Senator John Thune and her grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) on the USS Intrepid (CV 11) during World War II. As the keel authenticator, Hargens welded her initials onto an aluminum keel plate with the assistance of Austal USA A-class welder, Hon Tran.

“I am so honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity to sponsor the future USS Pierre,” stated Hargens. “It is a privilege to be a part of this time-honored tradition and to have my initials welded to a plate that will become a part of the ship’s keel. I look forward to participating in the important milestones throughout the life of the USS Pierre, and to building a lifelong relationship with the ship and the sailors that will make up her crew. May God bless the USS Pierre.”

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1538004 - 1538005 - 1538006 - 1538007 - 1538008 - 1538009

S. Dale Hargrave
Newport News, Va.

1.) 145k

2.) 247k

3.) 199k

4.) 181k

5.) 243k

6.) 479k

Friday, 17 May 2024: Mobile, Ala.

On the Friday evening before Pierre's christening a Sponsor's Reception was held at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. At the reception the ship's sponsor is honored with gifts and momentoes of the occasion. In photo #2, sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens receives an engraved silver service tray by a representative of the Mobile Council of the Navy League of the United States. In photo #3 she's receiving a Secretary of the Navy sponsor's certificate from Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, commander Naval Systems Command. View #4 shows her receiving a certificate from the Cheif of Naval Operations being presented by Vice Admiral Frank Morley, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. View #5 shows Mrs. Hargens being presented with original artwork of the future USS Pierre, done by naval architect and artist Peter K. Hsu. Mr. Hsu has done a picture like this one for every LCS placed into commission.

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1.) 1538010 - 2.) 1538011 - 3.) 1538012 - 4.) 1538013 - 5.) 1538014 - 6.) 1538015

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive

1.) 357k

2.) 308k

3.) 391k

4.) 304k

5.) 350k

Saturday, 18 May 2024: Mobile, Ala.
The actual christening of Pierre takes place on Saturday morning in it's building shed. After a short ceremony sponsor
Larissa Hargens breaks the traditional bottle of champagne on the ship's bow and a short reception is held afterwards.

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1.) 1538016 - 2.) 1538017 - 3.) 1538018 - 4.) 1538019 - 5.) 1538020

1.) 331k

2.) 371k

3.) 356k

4.) 241k

5.) 262k

6.) 323k

7.) 304k

8.) 286k

9.) 367k

10.) 437k

Wednesday, 29 May 2024: Mobile, Ala.
This series of ten photos shows the future USS Pierre being rolled out of her building shed onto a barge. Tugs will take the barge downriver to BAE Systems where
she'll be transferred into a floating drydock. She'll then be sunk in the drydock, floated out, and towed back to Austal's fitting out dock, where she'll be completed.

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1.) 1538021 - 2.) 1538022 - 3.) 1538023 - 4.) 1538024 - 5.) 1538025
6.) 1538026 - 7.) 1538027 - 8.) 1538028 - 9.) 1538029 - 10.) 1538030

1538045

241k

11 June 2025: Mobile, Ala. - The future USS Pierre (LCS 38) as she heads down the Mobile River, heading for the Gulf of America to begin her Acceptance Sea Trials. Acceptance Trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy later this year. The Trials give Austal USA the ability to identify any problems with the vessel before it's delivered to the Navy.

(U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #250620-A-GB562-1001 by Karli Yeager, Naval Sea Systems Command, from the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)

1.) avy

2.) 667k

3.) 608k

4.) 772k

5.) 694k

6.) 678k

7.) 670k

8.) 930k

Monday, 23 June 2025: The Gulf of America
This series of eight photos shows the future USS Pierre conducting "Sea Trials" in the Gulf of America. If successful,
the trials will be considered her final acceptance sea trials before the Navy takes ownership of the ship.

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1.) 1538031 - 2.) 1538032 - 3.) 1538033 - 4.) 1538034
5.) 1538036 - 6.) 1538037 - 7.) 1538038 - 8.) 1538039

1.) 403k

2.) 448k

3.) 709k

4.) 163k

5.) 240k

6.) 343k

Friday, 11 July 2025: Mobile, Ala.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) from Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama on 11 July 2025. Pierre is the 19th and final ship marking the completion of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) construction phase—a sustained acquisition effort involving Navy personnel, industry partners, and program management teams for over two decades. Pierre successfully completed acceptance trials the week of 09 June, achieving the highest measured quality score of any LCS in the past 15 years. This performance reflects the notable progress made over the course of the program and the expertise honed by the LCS shipbuilding and acquisition teams. “The delivery of the final Independence-variant LCS marks the end of a chapter, but not the story,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Program Office. “The LCS program, for all its complexities, has pushed the boundaries of naval design and operational concepts. The LCS represents a bold vision for a more agile and adaptable Navy. We are seeing the Fleet operating these ships with the advanced mission packages they were designed for and they are continuing to evolve those operational concepts as more unmanned technologies come online."

(Photos courtesy of Austal USA)

1.) 1538039 - 2.) 1538040 - 3.) 1538041 - 4.) 1538042 - 5.) 1538043 - 6.) 1538044

1.) 533k

2.) 386k

3.) 578k

4.) 196k

5.) 809k

6.) 503k

Friday, 07 November 2025: Panama City, Fla.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) arrives in Panama City, Fla. ahead of her commissioning ceremony on 07 November 2025. Pierre is the second
U.S. Navy ship to bear this name and will be the final Independence-variant LCS to be commissioned in the U.S. Navy. Pierre will be commissioned in Panama City on 15 November.

(U.S. Navy photos 1, 2, 5, 6 by Eddie Green, 3, 4 by Bob Lindee from the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)

1.) 1538046 (251107-N-UI581-1002) - 2.) 1538047 (251107-N-UI581-1001) - 3.) 1538048 (251107-N-YT960-1004)
4.) 1538049 (251107-N-YT960-1005) - 5.) 1538050 (251107-N-UI581-1002) - 6.) 1538051 (251107-N-UI581-1003)

NavSource Online: Littoral Warship Photo Archive

Pierre (LCS 38)

"Pierre, The Ship" - "Pierre, The People"

"Pierre, The Ship" - "Pierre, The People"

Pierre Memorabilia
Pierre Emblem Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler