The United States Navy commissioned its newest Freedom-class littoral combat ship, USS Cleveland (LCS-31), on May 16, 2026, in a ceremony held in Cleveland Harbor, Ohio. This marked the first time in the Navy’s 250-year history that a warship was commissioned in its namesake city within the state of Ohio. As the sixteenth and final Freedom-variant LCS, Cleveland strengthens the Navy’s fleet of fast, agile surface combatants designed for operations in near-shore environments. Built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin with Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor and combat systems integrator, the ship represents the culmination of American shipbuilding expertise and industrial partnership.
Measuring 388 feet in length with a full load displacement of 3,410 metric tons, USS Cleveland is capable of speeds exceeding 48 knots. The vessel features a core crew of approximately 50 sailors, supported by mission-specific detachments for its modular capabilities. Optimized for littoral missions, the ship can rapidly reconfigure for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine operations through its flexible “plug-and-play” mission modules. Its commissioning in Cleveland not only honors the city’s strong ties to the Navy but also highlights the enduring partnership between the service, industry, and local communities that sustain America’s maritime power.
The ceremony, attended by Navy leadership, local officials, and the ship’s sponsor Robyn Modly, underscored the vessel’s role in the broader Fleet of the Future initiative. Speakers emphasized the craftsmanship of the shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine and the dedication of the crew who will now operate the ship. Homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, USS Cleveland will enhance U.S. naval presence and interoperability in key maritime regions, providing high-speed maneuverability and multi-mission flexibility critical for modern great power competition.
With the Freedom-class program now complete, USS Cleveland stands as a testament to the Navy’s successful execution of the LCS concept despite earlier program challenges. The ship’s entry into service bolsters littoral warfighting capacity at a time when agile, networked platforms remain vital for deterring adversaries in contested waters. As it begins its operational life, Cleveland carries forward a proud legacy while equipping the Navy with the tools needed to maintain maritime superiority well into the 21st century. There have been 81 ships in the history of the U.S. Navy that have been named after cities in Ohio itself, but the Cleveland was the first to be commissioned in its namesake city.
