Keel-laying for final Austal LCS

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony last week for the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) here at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard. 

Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship.

The future USS Pierre is the final Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship being built by Austal USA.  LCS 38 is the second U.S. Navy ship named for the South Dakota capital city.

Keel laying represents a major milestone in the construction of a ship,” said Dave Growden, vice president of new construction. “While every keel-laying we celebrate is special, this one has added significance as it starts to close the line of a highly successful program.” 

The ceremony was widely attended by community and Navy leaders, notably, from the South Dakota delegation, U.S. Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds and Steve Harding, the Mayor of Pierre. 

“This is a special honor for the city of Pierre and all of South Dakota,” said Thune. “I’m particularly humbled, of course, to have had the privilege of introducing my daughter Larissa as the ship’s sponsor – a proud dad moment.” 

Hargens, a native of South Dakota, is involved with a non-profit incentive program that helps limited-income pregnant women in Sioux Falls. 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 WWII.

Austal USA has delivered 17 LCS to the Navy since 2009. Pierre is planned for delivery in late 2024 and will be homeported in San Diego, alongside the other Independence LCSs that have been delivered to the Navy. (Austal USA 06/19/23)