The USS Wichita (LCS-13) is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. It’s the third ship named after Wichita. Previous ships to bear the name included a World War II heavy cruiser (CA-45) and a Wichita-class Replenishment Oiler (AOR-1). The ceremonial “laying of the keel” was on February 9, 2015 in Marinette, Wisconsin. Sponsored by Kate Lehrer, wife of Wichita native Jim Lehrer, the ship was christened and launched on September 17, 2016.
Earlier today, the U.S. Navy commissioned USS Wichita (LCS 13) – the nation’s seventh Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – at Naval Station Mayport, before a crowd including active-duty and veteran sailors. This milestone places the ship, built by the Lockheed Martin (LMT)-led team into active service.
“This ship honors the citizens of Wichita, Kansas for their longstanding support of the Navy and Marine Corps team and I am confident USS Wichita and crew will make our Navy and nation stronger.”
– Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer
- Displacement: 3,500 metric tons
- Length: 378 feet
- Beam: 57 feet
- Draft: 14 feet
- Speed: +40 knots
- Range: 3,500 NM at 18 knots
- Electrical: (4) Isotta Fraschini V1708 diesel engines, Hitzinger generator unites, 800 kW each
- Propulsion: (2) Rolls-Royce MT30 36 MW gas turbines, (2) Colt-Pielstick diesel engines, (4) Rolls-Royce waterjets
- Complement: 50 Core Crew, 15 Mission Package Crew, 24 Aviation Detachment
- Armament: BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun, 400 rounds in turret and two service magazines with 240 rounds each.
Mk 49 Launcher – rolling Airframe Surface-to-Air Missiles.
(2) 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns. - Aircraft carried: (2) MH-60R/S Seahawk Helicopter or (1) MH-60 and (3) Fire Scout UAVs