USS Kansas City (LCS-22)

• Newest Namesake: USS Kansas City (LCS-22) is the third U.S. Navy vessel to be named after Kansas City, following a World War I-era freighter and a Cold War support ship. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on June 20, 2020, in a ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego, California, with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • Independence-Variant: Kansas City is an Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS), featuring a distinctive trimaran hull and advanced aluminum construction for speed and flexibility. • Modular Mission Packages: Like other LCS ships, she can be reconfigured with modules for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare, allowing rapid adaptation to mission needs. • High Speed: The ship is capable of speeds over 40 knots (about 46 mph), making her one of the fastest combat ships in the U.S. Navy. • Advanced Technology: Kansas City features cutting-edge automation, including a minimal core crew of around 40 sailors, with additional mission specialists as needed. • Homeport: Her homeport is Naval Base San Diego, placing her strategically for operations in the Pacific and supporting U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region. • Combat Systems: She is armed with a 57mm Mk 110 gun, Rolling Airframe Missiles for air defense, and can deploy helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles for expanded reach. • Community Ties: The ship maintains strong connections with Kansas City, Missouri, including her sponsor, Tracy Davidson, who christened the ship in 2018 and represents the city at ship events. • First Deployments: Since entering service, USS Kansas City has participated in a variety of exercises, port visits, and operations to demonstrate littoral combat capabilities and strengthen alliances.