The Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship is the U.S. Navy's steel monohull LCS-1 variant, built by Lockheed Martin with Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin for modular littoral warfare. In Red Sea operations, USS Indianapolis (LCS-17) became the first Freedom-class ship to receive a Combat Action Ribbon and was reported to have gained a counter-drone Hellfire upgrade during deployment.
U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship class, including Freedom- and Independence-variant LCS. USS Indianapolis (LCS-17) was involved in Red Sea combat-related missile/drone attacks in 2024, and LCS counter-UAS Hellfire upgrades were rushed because of Red Sea combat requirements.
Timeline
The Navy said the Littoral Combat Ship program began in 2002 as a push for a fast, agile, and versatile littoral warship with modular mission packages.
Sources: Littoral Combat Ship Class - LCS
The Freedom-variant USS Indianapolis returned to Mayport after a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet, 6th Fleet, and 2nd Fleet areas of operations.
Sources: Longest in the Fight - USS Indianapolis returns from deployment
TWZ reported that Houthi threats in the Red Sea prompted the Navy to rush counter-drone AGM-114L Hellfire capability to the Freedom-class LCS force, with Indianapolis as the first ship upgraded.
Sources: Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles
