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NavSource Online: Littoral Warship Photo Archive


Ship's emblem courtesy of
Don McGrogan,
BMCS, USN (Ret.)

Savannah (LCS 28)


"Not For Self, But For Others"
Specifications - LCS Littoral Combat Ship, Independence Class (Variant 2, Flight 0, first generation):
Hull Type: Stabilized Trimaran Monohull
Displacement: 2176 tons (light), 2784 tons (full)
Dead Weight: 608 tons
Length: 418' (oa)
Beam: 93.2' (extreme)
Draft: 13' (Maximum Navigational Draft)
Propulsion: Two gas turbine engines, two propulsion diesels, two waterjets
Speed: 47 kts (sprint), 50+ kts (top speed)
Armament: Bofors 57mm naval gun; Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher; 4 - .50 caliber machine gun mounts
Combat Management System: Northrup Grumman ICMS
Electronics: Ericsson Sea Giraffe (air / surface surveillance, weapon assignment);
Decoy System: 3 - Super RBOC; 2 - Nulka Decoy launchers
Complement: 26
Savannah (LCS 28) Building and Operational Data:
  • 23 June 2017: Contract Awarded to General Dynamics Corp.
  • 13 February 2018: Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced LCS 28 will be named USS Savannah
  • 19 July 2018: Construction commenced at Austal USA, Mobile, Ala. with a "First Cut" Ceremony, when the first sheet for hull fabrication was machined
  • 20 September 2019: Keel laid and authenticated at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala.
  • 29 August 2020: Launched and christened by sponsor Dianne Davison Isakson, wife of former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
  • 14 May 2021: Successfully completed Acceptance Trials in the Gulf of Mexico
  • 05 February 2022: Placed in commission at Brunswick, Ga., Cmdr. Kevin Ray in command, assigned to LCS Squadron 1 at San Diego, Cal.
  • 07 October 2022: Savannah Gold Crew established, Cmdr. Jenna Van Zeyl in command

    Note:
    1.) The contract option awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation is managed by Lockheed Martin's Maritime Systems and Sensors division in Moorestown NJ. The Lockheed Martin team includes: Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, Bollinger Shipyards, Gibbs and Cox naval architects, Izar of Spain and Blohm & Voss naval shipbuilders.

    2.) The contract option awarded to General Dynamics is managed by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Me. The major members of General Dynamics team are: Austal USA, based in Mobile, Ala.; BAE Systems, Rockville, Md; Maritime Applied Physics Corporation, Baltimore, Md; CAE Marine Systems, Leesburg, Va.; Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Baltimore, Md; General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt.; General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Conn.; General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Washington, D.C.; and General Dynamics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

    "Savannah, The Ship"     -    "Savannah, The People"

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    Independence
    1502001a
    102k 27 May 2004: Washington DC - The U.S. Navy announced today that General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP).

    (Artist concept provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy of General Dynamics, Photo #040527-O-0000G-004, from the Navy Newstand)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Archive Manager
    DE / FF / LCS Archive
    Navsource
    Independence
    1502001b
    492k undated: Mobile, Ala. - An aerial view of the Austal USA shipyard, the American branch of operations for Australian shipbuilder Austal. Founded in 1999 along the west bank of Blakely Island on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama. The shipyard was initially engaged in building high-speed aluminum ferries, such as the Lake Express for service across Lake Michigan, and the Alakai for Hawaii Superferry. Construction on the first Littoral Combat Ship of the USS Independence variant was begun in 2006. In conjunction with the General Dynamics Corp., all of the planned Independence Class LCS's will be built here.

    (Photo courtesy of AUSTAL, USA)
    Savannah  232k       Savannah  276k       Savannah  284k       Savannah  296k

    18 July 2018: Mobile, Ala. - Prior to the cutting of the first sheet of medal for the construction of the future USS Savannah (LCS 28), AUSTAL USA shipyard workers
    prepare for the "First Cut" ceremony. Afterward, the button is pushed for the cutting machine to start and construction begins. Savannah will be the sixth ship named after the
    city to serve the U.S. Navy. She is preceded by the first Savannah which was a small galley authorized on 04 May 1798, serving from March 1799 to February 1802. The
    second Savannah was a frigate completed at the New York Navy Yard in 1844, she remained in service until 1870. The third Savannah was built as the German Hamburg
    America Steamship Company liner Saxonia. Seized at Seattle, Wash. at the beginning of World War I, she was converted to a submarine tender and served from 1917 to
    1926. The fourth Savannah was a light cruiser (CL 42) which served from 1938 until decommissioned in February of 1947. The fifth Savannah was AOR 4, a replenishment
    oiler which commissioned in December of 1970 and served until decommissioning in July of 1995.

    (Photos courtesy of  Austal USA)

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    Savannah  152k       Savannah  404k       Savannah  300k       Savannah  123k

    20 September 2019: Mobile, Ala. - The wife of former Alabama senator Johnny Isakson and ship’s sponsor Dianne Davison Isakson authenticates the keel for the 14th
    Independence variant of the littoral combat ship class during the ceremony. While keel laying traditionally represents the formal start of a ship's construction, advanced
    modular shipbuilding allows fabrication of the ship to begin months in advance. Today, keel laying continues to symbolically recognize the joining of the ship's
    components and the ceremonial beginning of the ship.

    (Photos courtesy of  Austal USA)

    1528005   -   1528006   -   1528007   -   1528008


    Savannah  309k       Savannah  105k       Savannah  335k

    29 August 2020: Mobile, Ala. - The Navy christened its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Savannah (LCS 28), during a 10 a.m.
    CDT ceremony n Saturday, 29 August at Mobile, Alabama. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts delivered
    the christening ceremony's principal address. Mrs. Dianne Isakson, wife of former U.S. Senator John Isakson, serves as the ship’s sponsor. In a time-honored Navy
    tradition, Mrs. Isakson christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.

    (Photos courtesy of  Austal USA)

    1528009   -   1528010   -   1528011


    Savannah  280k       Savannah  236k       Savannah  237k       Savannah  294k       Savannah  226k

    02 September 2020: Mobile, Ala. - Five views of the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) being rolled out of her construction shed. She'll be placed on a barge which
    will then be towed downriver to BAE Systems, placed in a floating drydock, and launched as the floating drydock is sunk on the morning of 03 September.

    (Photos courtesy of  Austal USA)

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    Savannah  250k     Savannah  235k     Savannah  353k     Savannah  328k     Savannah  399k     Savannah  226k

    24 September 2020: the Gulf of Mexico - Six views of the future USS Savannah on sea trials.

    (Photos courtesy of  Austal USA)

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    Savannah
    1528023
    274k 05 February 2022: Brunswick, Ga. - Sunrise at Brunswick, Ga. and the future Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) prepares for her official commissioning. Savannah is the Navy's 14th Independence-variant littoral combat ship.

    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #220205-N-VF045-1009 by MC2 James S. Hong from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
    Savannah  1.) 348k   Savannah  2.) 181k   Savannah  3.) 170k   Savannah  4.) 211k   Savannah  5.) 156k   Savannah  6.) 197k
    Savannah  7.) 170k   Savannah  8.) 207k   Savannah  9.) 188k   Savannah  10.) 268k   Savannah  11.) 486k   Savannah  12.) 234k

    05 February 2022: Brunswick, Ga. - Twelve views taken as the U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) in Brunswick, Ga. Mrs. Diane Davison Isakson is the ship’s sponsor and wife of the late Honorable Johnny Isakson, former Senator from Georgia. Their daughter, Julie Isakson Mitchell, served as the Matron of Honor. The Honorable Meredith Berger, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy recognized Mrs. Isakson. Guest speakers for the event also included Mayor of Savannah Cosby Johnson, Mayor of Brunswick Van Johnson, and Commander, Naval Air Systems Command Vice Adm. Carl Chebi. During the ceremony, Savannah’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Kevin M. Ray, reported the ship ready, and Mrs. Isakson gave the traditional order to “Man our ship and bring her to life!”

    LCS 28 is the 14th Independence-variant LCS and 28th in its class. It is the sixth ship named in honor of the city of Savannah. The first was a coastal galley that provided harbor defense for the port of Savannah, 1799-1802. The second USS Savannah, a frigate, served as the flagship of the Pacific Squadron and then served in the Brazil Squadrons and Home Squadrons, 1844-1862. The third USS Savannah (AS 8) was launched in 1899 as the German commercial freighter, Saxonia. Seized in Seattle, Washington, upon the outbreak of World War I, the freighter was converted to a submarine tender and supported submarine squadrons in both the Atlantic and Pacific, 1917-1926. The fourth USS Savannah (CL 42) was a Brooklyn-class light cruiser commissioned in 1938. The warship served through the entire Mediterranean campaign, receiving three battle stars for service before decommissioning in 1945. The fifth USS Savannah (AOR 4) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned in 1970. AOR 4 earned one battle star and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in the Vietnam War. The oiler provided underway replenishment services in the Atlantic and Indian oceans until decommissioning in 1995.

    1.) Midshipmen from Savannah State University NROTC Color Guard parade the colors during the commissioning ceremony for USS Savannah. ....................................(220206-N-VF045-1031)
    2.) Tom Nichols, retired U.S. Navy chaplain, delivers a benediction during the commissioning ceremony for littoral combat ship USS Savannah. ......................................(220206-N-VF045-1112)
    3.) Cosby Johnson, Mayor of Brunswick, delivers opening remarks during the commissioning ceremony for littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS28). .......................(220206-N-VF045-1037)
    4.) Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah, delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28). ..........................................(220206-N-VF045-1049)
    5.) U.S. Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, Georgia’s First District, delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for USS Savannah (LCS 28). ....................................(220206-N-VF045-1066)
    6.) Meredith Berger, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for Savannah. .................................(220206-N-VF045-1062)
    7.) Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, commander, Naval Air Systems Command, delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for USS Savannah. ......................................(220206-N-VF045-1055)
    8.) Commander Kevin Ray accepts command of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) during her commissioning ceremony. ..................(220206-N-VF045-1082)
    9.) Guests watch as the commissioning pennant is hoisted over Savannah during her commissioning ceremony. ............................................................................................(220206-N-VF045-1079)
    10.) Sailors assigned to the littoral combat ship USS Savannah run aboard to man Savannah as part of its commissioning ceremony. ..........................................................(220206-N-VF045-1092)
    11.) Sailors assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah man the rails during Savannah's commissioning ceremony. ............................................(220206-N-VF045-1101)
    12.) Lt. Donald Parrott, from Norfolk, Va., prepares to assume the first watch as the officer of the deck during the commissioning ceremony for Savannah. .......................(220206-N-VF045-1087)

    (U.S. Navy photos by MC2 James S. Hong from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

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    Savannah  277k       Savannah  451k       Savannah  464k

    09 February 2022: Key West, Fla. - USS Savannah (LCS 28), the Navy's 14th Independence-variant littoral combat ship pulls into Truman Harbor in Key West,
    Fla. Savannah is the Navy’s newest LCS, commissioned in Brunswick, Georgia on 05 February 2022. Naval Air Station Key West is the state-of-the-art facility
    for combat fighter aircraft of all military services, provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels, and is the premier training center for surface
    and subsurface military operations.

    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #220209-N-IW125-1012, 220209-N-IW125-1091, and 220209-N-IW125-1153 by MC2 Nicholas V. Huynh from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

    1528036    -    1528037    -    1528038


    Savannah  379k       Savannah  478k       Savannah  212k

    01 March 2022: San Diego, Cal. - Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) arrives in its home port of San Diego for the first time.
    The left photo shows Savannah passing moored merchant ships as she heads for the Coronado Bridge. In the center photo she just passed under the Coronado
    Bridge and is closing on Naval station San Diego. The right photo shows tugs pushing her to her pier assignment.

    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #220301-N-QJ684-0006 by MCC Kirk Worley
    (U.S. Navy photos VIRIN #220301-N-ZS023-1023, and 220301-N-ZS023-1069 by MC2 Vance Hand
    from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

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    "Savannah, The Ship"     -    "Savannah, The People"


    Savannah History
    There is no DANFS History currently available for Savannah (LCS 28) at Navsource

    Savannah's Commanding Officers

    Blue CrewGold Crew
    1.) 05 February 2022Cmdr. Kevin M. Ray (NROTC '05) (Garland, Tex.)1.) 07 Oct. 2022Cmdr. Jenna Van Zeyl (USNA '03) (New Lenox, Ill.)
    2.) 16 Decembr 2022Cmdr. Daniel A. Sledz (NROTC '06) (Long Island, N.Y.)--

    Additional Resources

    View Savannah's's Official Web page
    USS Savannah History on U.S. Carriers
    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    Back to the DE / FF / LCS Ship Index
    Back to the Main Navsource Photo Index

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    This page created on 14 February 2018,
    and is maintained by Mike Smolinski
    All pages copyright Navsource Naval History
    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 30 March 2023