The city of Kingsville received an ultimate honor from the U.S. Navy today, naming a new naval vessel after the small town the USS Kingsville.
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced that he’s naming the next Independent-variant combat ship in honor of the city, which has served as host for a Naval Air Station for many years.
Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate and Navy official made the announcement during a press conference Monday morning at Kingsville City Hall.
“It is an honor for Kingsville to be recognized in this way,” Fugate said. “The City of Kingsville, including its residents, has always had a positive and supportive relationship with the Navy. This recognition symbolizes how hard we have worked to strengthen that relationship and how much more work is needed to continue to support existing and future military missions in Kingsville.”
The future ship will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. The ship will be 419 feet long with a beam length of 104 feet. It will be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 40 knots.
The LCS is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptive ship. It is designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.
The new ship is expected to cost more than $1 billion.
