The US Navy Is Repairing Freedom-Class Combat Ships At Sea Now (And Here’s Why It Matters)
From the largest aircraft carrier Boomin Beaver is potentially the US Navy’s smallest shipThe United States has many ships under its command. One of the most interesting ship classes is the Freedom class. These are Littoral Combat Ships, and despite their smaller, lighter hulls, they still pack considerable power in their own right. In December 2024, USNI Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro is quoted: “Today, the Littoral Combat Ship is equipped with the Naval Strike Missile, a long-range precision strike weapon. Eventually, most will get the Mk 70 Payload System with vertical launch system technology…yes, the LCS is back.”
Most of the maintenance and repair work performed on coastal warships is completed by outside contractors rather than the crew themselves, to minimize crew numbers. However, in August 2025, LCS USS St. Louis became a notable exception to this rule. When the ship’s Main Propulsion Diesel Engine needed maintenance, the crew’s skilled engineers completed the job themselves. Chief engineer, Lieutenant Commander. Jasmine Hilton stated that she was proud of the crew and said (via DVDs), “They demonstrated extraordinary professional curiosity, truly embodying mastery of their equipment.”
This represents an increased focus on the work that can be done while an LCS is on duty; this is an important capacity that can help them continue their important work as efficiently as possible. Littoral warships have a complicated and controversial history.but the program still has a lot of potential.
Read more: The World’s 10 Largest Navies Ranked by Total Naval Assets, According to Self-Reports
Why is an LCS a different matter from other military ships?
Littoral warship in water near the shore. – US Navy/Getty Images
These littoral combat ships were designed to operate in shallower waters along the coast, hence the name, and were created following the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, as an additional and more flexible means of defense when necessary. They were first built to be lightweight and maneuverable, and now Some of the US Navy’s fastest ships. The Freedom class is approximately 387 feet long, has a displacement of approximately 3,450 metric tons, and accommodates a main crew of approximately 50 people.
They are relatively small (for comparison, the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is about 392 meters long) and are not heavily armed; Its main weapons include the Mark 110 and a number of Rolling Airframe Missiles. The most important feature of the Freedom class crew being able to repair their ships themselves is what it represents. USS St. Repair of Louis at sea (via DVDs), “highlights a two-year effort to increase LCS self-sufficiency by training Sailors to perform greater maintenance and repairs in times of need.”
This was possible thanks to the Navy supplying the ship with previously unavailable spare parts and necessary equipment. Having the skills and equipment to perform routine and preventative maintenance while deployed rather than returning to port means ships can remain combat ready. Despite development problems and balloon costs that have forced many out of service, the Navy is trying to make its small fleet of littoral warships livable.
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