What Happened to USS Cleveland (LCS-31)?
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) is the sixteenth and final Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. Awarded in 2019, the ship was launched in 2023 and delivered to the Navy in late 2025. It is scheduled to be officially commissioned on May 16, 2026, in its namesake city of Cleveland, Ohio, marking a historic event as the first U.S. warship commissioned in the state.
Quick Answer
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship that is currently undergoing its commissioning week events in Cleveland, Ohio, as of May 2026. It was delivered to the U.S. Navy on November 26, 2025, as the final ship of its class. The official commissioning ceremony is set for May 16, 2026, a historic event as it will be the first U.S. Navy warship ever commissioned in the state of Ohio. Following commissioning, LCS-31 will be homeported in Mayport, Florida, and will support missions such as maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Contract Awarded for LCS-31
The U.S. Navy awarded the contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine for the construction of the future USS Cleveland (LCS-31), the sixteenth and final Freedom-class littoral combat ship.
Ship Name Announced
A bipartisan group of Ohio congressional representatives officially announced that Littoral Combat Ship 31 (LCS-31) would be named USS Cleveland, honoring the city of Cleveland, Ohio.
Keel Laid
The keel for the future USS Cleveland (LCS-31) was officially laid at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, marking a significant construction milestone.
Christened and Launched
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) was christened by its sponsor, Robyn Modly, and launched at the Marinette Marine shipyard. This event was the last side-launch at the facility.
Builder's (Alpha) Sea Trials Begin
The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Cleveland commenced its initial builder's sea trials on Lake Michigan, focusing on testing basic propulsion and steering systems.
Lone Sailor Plaza Opened in Cleveland
The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, in partnership with the City of Cleveland, opened the Lone Sailor Plaza in Voinovich Bicentennial Park, featuring a replica of the Lone Sailor Statue.
Acceptance Trials Conducted
The PCU Cleveland underwent acceptance trials on the Great Lakes, a crucial phase where the Navy evaluates the ship's performance and systems before delivery.
Navy Accepts Delivery of LCS-31
The U.S. Navy officially accepted delivery of the USS Cleveland (LCS-31) from Fincantieri Marinette Marine, marking the completion of the Freedom-class LCS production line.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Navy Week
The U.S. Navy participated in Navy Week in Northeast Ohio, strengthening community ties and building momentum for the upcoming commissioning of the USS Cleveland.
USS Cleveland Arrives in Cleveland for Commissioning Week
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) arrived in the Port of Cleveland, Ohio, to begin a week of celebratory events leading up to its official commissioning.
Official Commissioning Ceremony
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) is scheduled to be officially commissioned as a United States Navy warship at the North Coast Yard in Cleveland, Ohio, a historic first for the state.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) represents the culmination of the Freedom-class littoral combat ship program, a two-decade effort by the U.S. Navy to develop fast, agile, and modular warships for near-shore operations. The contract for LCS-31 was awarded to Marinette Marine, part of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, on January 15, 2019. Its construction proceeded with the keel laying on June 16, 2021, and the ship was christened and launched on April 15, 2023. Notably, its launch was the last side-launch at the Marinette shipyard, with future ships utilizing a new shiplift system.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, the USS Cleveland underwent a series of rigorous trials. Builder's (Alpha) trials commenced on Lake Michigan in August 2024, focusing on basic propulsion and steering systems. This was followed by acceptance trials in August 2025, where the ship's overall performance was evaluated. The U.S. Navy officially accepted delivery of LCS-31 from Fincantieri Marinette Marine on November 26, 2025. This delivery marked a significant milestone, concluding the 16-ship Freedom-class line and the active Littoral Combat Ship delivery program.
The commissioning of the USS Cleveland (LCS-31) is a highly anticipated event, scheduled for May 16, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. This ceremony is particularly historic as it will be the first time a U.S. Navy warship is commissioned in the state of Ohio. The ship's arrival in Cleveland on May 8, 2026, initiated a week of community events leading up to the formal commissioning. The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation has played a crucial role in fostering community engagement and support for the ship and its crew.
Following its commissioning, the USS Cleveland will be homeported at Mayport, Florida. As a Freedom-class LCS, it is designed for versatility, capable of being reconfigured for various missions including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. Its motto, "Forge a Legacy," reflects both Cleveland's industrial heritage and the ship's intended long-term service. The ship's entry into active service signifies the Navy's continued adaptation to 21st-century coastal threats and its commitment to global maritime security.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if USS Cleveland (LCS-31) made different choices?