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Navy launches new littoral combat ship in Wisconsin

The brand new littoral combat ship Montgomery suffered two engineering casualties at sea this week, only three days after its commissioning ceremony.

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The future USS Wichita, LCS13, will be launched Saturday.

Katie Leher, the ship’s sponsor, had the honor of busting the champagne bottle on the Wichita’s bow, sending it sliding into the river.

In a statement from Wisconsin Congressman Reid Ribble’s office, the U.S. Navy has agreed to name LCS 25 the USS Marinette. After its launch, the ship will be outfitted with its final systems, such as radar and combat management systems, and will be ready for final alignments and testing before its delivery to the Navy.

The USS Wichita will be 378 feet long and will have a top speed of more than 40 knots, according to the Navy’s website.

LCS 13 will be the third U.S. Navy ship named USS Wichita.

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The Lockheed Martin-led industry team is now in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant, with six ships under construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine and three more in long-lead material procurement. Get twice-daily updates on what the St. Louis business community is talking about.

LCS 13 launch