Future USS Indianapolis Christened at Marinette Marine (Learn More, Video)

Tammy Waitt

April 15, 2018

USS-INDIANAPOLIS-(LCS-17) — USS INDIANAPOLIS (LCS 17)

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team hosted the 17th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) christening ceremony at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on Saturday

Ship sponsor Jill Donnelly christened LCS 17, the future USS Indianapolis, in Navy tradition by breaking a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow.

Ship sponsor Jill Donnelly breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow during the christening ceremony for the nation’s 17th Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS INDIANAPOLIS, at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on April 14.

“As a native Hoosier and the daughter of two World War II veterans, there is no greater honor than to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Indianapolis,” Donnelly said.

“This ship pays tribute to the legacy of brave and resilient sailors, and I know the people of Indianapolis – and all Hoosiers – will support this ship and her future crews for decades to come.”

The future USS Indianapolis is named in honor of the incredibly brave men and women in uniform who have served our country for generations and who continue to serve today.

(The Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) team has reached another milestone with the christening of LCS 17, the future USS INDIANAPOLIS. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin and YouTube. Posted on Apr 14, 2018)

LCS 17 will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the Indianapolis name. She will undergo additional outfitting and testing at Fincantieri Marinette Marine before her anticipated delivery next year.

Today we christened the future USS Indianapolis, Littoral Combat Ship 17: https://t.co/kuG9tuNEQF pic.twitter.com/cmh7ydlIma

— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) April 14, 2018

“The Freedom-variant LCS is flexible and capable, and plays a critical role in the U.S. Navy’s fleet,” said Joe DePietro, vice president, Small Combatants and Ship Systems at Lockheed Martin.

“With an active production and testing, we are committed to delivering Indianapolis and her highly capable sister ships into combatant commanders’ hands quickly.”

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS, and has delivered five ships to the U.S. Navy to date.

LCS IN MOTION. SEE A LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP IN ACTION

(The future USS Little Rock’s (LCS 9) acceptance trials were completed in Marinette, Wisconsin, Aug. 25. The five-day, U.S. Navy-led trials featured a comprehensive array of tests designed to demonstrate performance of the ship’s propulsion plant, handling and auxiliary systems. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin and YouTube. Posted on Aug 31, 2017)

The future USS Indianapolis is one of eight ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with one more in long-lead production.

In February, a keel-laying ceremony was held for the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the next littoral combat ship to be built at Marinette Marine.

The Lockheed Martin-led LCS team is comprised of shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine, naval architect Gibbs & Cox, and more than 800 suppliers in 42 states.