CINCINNATI

There have been four Navy ships named USS Cincinnati.  The fifth was Christened on May 7, 2018 and launched May 22.  It is in sea trials at this time.  The latest ship to carry this name is what the Navy now calls a Littoral Combat Ship.  It is an Independence Class ship and will carry the designation LCS-20.   The word littoral indicates 'near the shore'. 

This new type of vessel is an extremely fast, agile ship smaller than destroyers but capable of carrying two helicopters and several small boats.  It has a payload area large enough for a small attacking unit including motorized vehicles.  It is built for quick assaults.  Its minimal draft will allow it to sail close to most coasts. 

For its own protection and it's 40 man crew, this trimaran-design vessel is equipped with machine guns and line-of-sight anti-ship missiles.  A commissioning date for the Cincinnati has not been set.