WISCONSIN — The Navy made a splash with its newest was warship when it was officially introduced.
The USS Wichita was launched into the Menominee River on Sept. 17.
The littoral combat ship is a fast, maneuverable surface ship that is capable of operating close to shores.
The ship’s sponsor, novelist Kate Lehrer, wife of former “PBS NewsHour” anchor Jim Lehrer, broke a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow just before launch. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was keynote speaker.
The speedy warship is the nation’s 13th littoral combat ship. The team led by defense contractor Lockheed Martin has six Freedom-class ships — which have a steel monohull — under construction in Marinette, Wisconsin, and is procuring materials for three more.
It’s the third U.S. Navy ship named USS Wichita.
Cox Media Group
