USS Cooperstown (LCS-23)

History

USS Cooperstown (LCS-23) is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. It is the first U.S. naval ship named for Cooperstown, New York, and the 12th Freedom-class ship built.

The ship was constructed by Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Cooperstown was launched in 2020, delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2022, and commissioned in New York City in 2023.

Although some material associated with the ship describes Independence-class littoral combat ships, Cooperstown is identified by the available ship-specific source as a Freedom-class vessel using the monohull LCS design.

Development and construction

The U.S. Navy began the Littoral Combat Ship program in 2002. Two competing configurations were developed: the Freedom-class monohull design and the Independence-class trimaran design. Odd-numbered LCS hulls, including LCS-23, use the Freedom-class design.

Marinette Marine received the contract to build Cooperstown on 29 December 2010. The ship was named for Cooperstown, New York, on 25 July 2015 during a ceremony at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The name honors American military veterans from multiple conflicts who are members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cooperstown was launched on 19 January 2020 and christened on 29 February 2020. The ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy in September 2022. Its home port is Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.

Commissioning

During routine operations on 11 March 2023, Cooperstown provided emergency assistance to a sailing vessel in distress. The ship was formally commissioned in New York City on 6 May 2023.

Design

USS Cooperstown is based on the Freedom-class littoral combat ship configuration. This design uses a monohull rather than the trimaran hull used by the competing Independence class.

The Littoral Combat Ship concept was developed for operations in coastal waters and other maritime missions. Cooperstown has also been employed for maritime patrol duties under U.S. Northern Command.

Operational history

In 2026, USS Cooperstown deployed for approximately four months in support of U.S. Northern Command's maritime patrol mission near the United States southern border. The ship returned to Naval Station Mayport on 31 August 2026.

USS St. Louis (LCS-19) departed Mayport on 13 September 2026 to relieve Cooperstown and continue the mission.

Specifications (USS Cooperstown LCS-23)

General characteristics

• Type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom class
• Hull number: LCS-23
• Hull configuration: Monohull
• Builder: Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
• Home port: Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida

Service milestones

• Launch: 19 January 2020
• Christening: 29 February 2020
• Delivery to U.S. Navy: September 2022
• Commissioning: 6 May 2023

Related equipment

The Freedom class was one of two Littoral Combat Ship designs developed for the U.S. Navy. The competing Independence-class design uses a trimaran hull and was developed separately by the General Dynamics and Austal team.

Additional ship-specific background is available from the USS Cooperstown reference.