Navy Set to Unveil New Littoral Combat Ship Beloit

The United States Navy has officially commissioned its 15th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the USS Beloit. This marks the first U.S. Navy ship to carry the Beloit namesake.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is set to deliver the principal address at the commissioning ceremony. Other key speakers include U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Representative Gwen Moore, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby, and Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Small Combatants and Ship Systems, Ali Ruwaih.

The ship’s sponsor, retired Army Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson, is a Beloit native and the first female African American officer to earn a second star in the U.S. Army Reserves. Having retired as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve after 37 years of service, Anderson underscored Beloit’s significant role in supporting national security and expressed hope for the USS Beloit’s future legacy.

Secretary Del Toro emphasized the ship’s advanced engineering and weaponry, particularly highlighting the future addition of the Naval Strike Missile. This will enhance the USS Beloit’s capability in contested waters. The ship is a testament to Beloit’s contributions to the Navy, including engines built by the Fairbanks Morse plant.

The littoral combat ship class has two variants: Freedom and Independence. Lockheed Martin leads the design and construction of the Freedom-variant in Marinette, Wisconsin, while Austal USA is responsible for the Independence-variant in Mobile, Alabama.

The USS Beloit is expected to feature the Over-the-Horizon Weapons System Naval Strike Missile. This provides enhanced anti-surface strike capability and supports increased coastal defense and deterrence.

Littoral combat ships are fast, versatile, and optimally crewed. Designed for near-shore and open-ocean operations, they defend against modern coastal threats and support various naval missions globally.

The commissioning ceremony will be streamed live at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/35146, becoming active shortly before the event starts at 9:50 a.m. CST.