The USS Nantucket was one of the last littoral combat ships left to enter service. The Navy welcomed it, even as it tries to end the program.

The USS Nantucket was commissioned in a ceremony at Charlestown Navy Yard on Saturday, certifying the ship is ready to join the naval fleet and serve in active duty.

CHARLESTOWN - An elaborate ceremony marked the commissioning of the USS Nantucket in Charlestown on Saturday. The Navy's oldest and newest ships. The ship is now certified to join

Littoral combat ships like Nantucket will be equipped with Over the Horizon – Weapons System (OTH-WS) Naval Strike Missile (NSM). The OTH NSM provides the U.S. and its allies with long range anti-surface offensive strike capability as well as increased coastline defense, deterrence, and interoperability.

The USS Nantucket is one of the final Freedom-class variants of the LCS programme, which has been continuously scaled back from initial plans.