Navy Set to Christen New Littoral Combat Ship: Meet the USS Nantucket

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is set to deliver the principal address at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Nantucket. Additional remarks will be made by U.S. Representative Bill Keating, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Meredith Berger, Vice Admiral Michael Boyle, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Paul Lemmo from Lockheed Martin.

The ship’s sponsor, Polly Spencer, boasts deep ties to Nantucket. A former island resident and business owner, Spencer is also the wife of Richard Spencer, the 76th Secretary of the Navy. Her experiences visiting sailors worldwide and sponsoring the USS Nantucket are among her career highlights.

“The crew and our industry partners have tirelessly worked over the past several years to bring the USS Nantucket to life,” remarked Secretary Del Toro. The Nantucket recently supported a Coast Guard operation on Lake Erie and is poised to be a vital part of the Navy’s future fleet.

Nantucket is the 14th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship commissioned and the third to carry its name. This class of ships features two variants: Freedom, led by Lockheed Martin, and Independence, led by Austal USA. They are essential for modern naval operations.

Equipped with the Over the Horizon Weapons System Naval Strike Missile, these ships provide advanced anti-surface capabilities. They are designed for versatility in both near-shore and open-ocean environments, playing key roles in maritime security and global deterrence missions.

The commissioning ceremony will be live-streamed for public viewing. Media inquiries should be directed to the Navy Office of Information.