PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Representatives from the company building the United States Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) spent some time in South Dakota’s capitol city this week to get some insight about the place the ship is named for.

Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder says this was the first time he’s made this type of visit.

The Navy’s fleet of Freedom-variant ships– which were built by a different company– have had some issues with propulsion or weapons not working, but Ryder says Austal USA’s Independence-variant ships have had good success.

Although he got to tour the town, Ryder says it’s not the company that will personalize the ship with items reflecting Pierre.

The USS Pierre’s Keel Laying, or the official start of the shipbuilding process, happened last summer (June 16, 2023) in Alabama. The Christening, when the ship is put in the water for testing, is scheduled for this summer. The Commissioning, when the ship goes on active duty, is scheduled for 2025.

LCS 38 is the third United States naval vessel named for Pierre. The first was during World War II when the cargo vessel “SS Pierre Victory” (VC2-S-AP3) saw active service. The second was originally called “USS PC-1141,” which was a PC-461-class submarine chaser during World War II. She was renamed “USS Pierre” (PC-1141) in 1956. The ship was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in October 1958 and transferred to the Indonesian Navy.

The most recently activated naval vessel with ties to the state is the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) fast attack submarine. It officially joined the US Navy’s fleet Feb. 2, 2019.

The USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots). South Dakota Senator John Thune’s youngest daughter, Larissa Thune Hargens, is the ship’s sponsor.