Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship
Displacement: 3,500 metric tons (full load)
Length: 378 ft (115 m) / Beam: 57.4 ft (17.5 m) / Draft: 12.8 ft (3.9 m)
Installed power: Electrical: 4 Isotta Fraschini V1708 diesel engines, Hitzinger generator units, 800 kW each
Propulsion: 2 x Rolls-Royce MT30 36 MW (48,000 hp) gas turbines, 2 x Colt-Pielstick 16PA6B 6.8 MW (9,100 hp) diesel engines, 4 Rolls-Royce waterjets
Speed: 47 knots (87 km/h; 54 mph) (sea state)
Range: 3,500 nmi at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Endurance: 21 days (336 hours)
Boats & landing craft carried: 11m RHIB, 12m high-speed boats
Sensors and processing systems: EADS North America TRS-3D air and surface search radar, TRS-4D from LCS 17 / Lockheed Martin COMBATSS-21 combat management system AN/SQR-20 Multi-Function Towed Array (As part of ASW mission module)
Electronic warfare & decoys: Argon ST WBR-2000 ESM system / Terma A/S SKWS decoy system
Armament:
1 × BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun, 400 rounds in turret & two ready service magazines with 240 rounds each.
1 x Mk 49 launcher with 21 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Surface-to-Air Missiles
4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns / 2 × 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns (part of SUW module)
24 × AGM-114L Hellfire missiles (planned part of SUW module)
Aircraft carried:
1 × MH-60R/S Seahawk / 2 × MQ-8B Fire Scouts or 1 × MQ-8C Fire Scout
SHIP's SEAL
BLAZON
Shield. Azure, between two flaunches barry wavy Argent and Celeste each charged with a lightning bolt Gules, in chief a sun in splendor and in base issuant from an open book a winged Rod of Asclepius, all Or.
Crest. From a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, issuant from an anvil in profile, horn to dexter, the silhouette of the Cleveland skyline all Sable garnished Gris, at the base of the city a stripe fesswise Gules, the waist of the anvil bears a single fret Or.
Supporters. Behind the shield, a United States Navy Officer’s sword and Navy Chief Petty Officer’s cutlass in saltire Proper, points downward.
Motto. A scroll Azure edged Argent and doubled Gules, the inscription “FORGE A LEGACY” at center and the numerals “17” and “96” upon the furled scroll ends, to left and right respectively, all Argent.
SYMBOLISM
Shield. Blue and gold are the traditional colors of the US Navy and here they symbolize the blue and gold crews employed on littoral combat ships. The wavy flaunches denote the two bodies of water that Cleveland sits on, the south shore of Lake Erie and the banks of the Cuyahoga River. The red lightning bolts represent the speed of the USS CLEVELAND (LCS 31) and are colored red to symbolize warfighting capabilities. The sun in splendor represents the new energy found in modern day Cleveland due to the collaboration and creativity of its citizens. The sun has sixteen rays, marking the USS CLEVELAND (LCS 31) as the sixteenth Freedom-class littoral combat ship. The open book and winged Rod of Asclepius symbolizes Cleveland as the home of world-renowned museums, prestigious universities, and nationally recognized hospitals.
Crest. The wreath adopts the first-named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The anvil and red stripe refer to the ship’s motto, “FORGE A LEGACY,” and together symbolize Cleveland’s former steel and heavy manufacturing industries. The skyline represents the people, achievements, history, and future of Cleveland, Ohio. The fret represents the newly revitalized Cleveland Public Square which was part of the original 1796 town plan. The four stars indicate the four United States Navy vessels named for the city.
Supporters. The crossed sword and cutlass symbolize the officers and enlisted crew that sail the ship, demonstrating teamwork and cooperation by the naval team of the USS CLEVELAND (LCS 31).
Motto. The ship’s motto, “FORGE A LEGACY,” denotes the plan to bring the ship to life at commissioning, excellence during service life (20-25 years), and the return of the ship to Cleveland upon retirement to serve as an enduring memorial and museum.
Seal. The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold roped border and bearing the name “USS CLEVELAND” at the top and “LCS 31” at the base.
