PIERRE, (KCCR) — It’s formal ceremonial commissioning is still a few months away, but as of Friday, the future U-S-S Pierre is officially property of the United States Navy. Delivery documents were signed on the ship Friday, legally handing the keys of the ship to the Navy. The delivery document signing followed the Pierre’s successful completion of naval acceptance trials in early June. Those sea trials tested the Pierre’s major systems and equipment to demonstrate mission readiness and successful operation. The next step for the Littoral Combat Ship-38 is for the ship’s pre-commissioning unit to begin preparations to introduce Pierre to the L-C-S fleet. Alabama shipbuilder Austal U-S-A built 19 Independence-variant L-C-S ships in 15 years with the Pierre being the final in the program. Austal President Michelle Kruger says the delivery of the Pierre is one of the company’s most memorable milestone achievements as it marks conclusion of the L-C-S program. Construction of the Pierre started in June of 2023 and was christened in May of last year.
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