USS Richard M. McCool Jr.
USS Richard M. McCool Jr. is the 13th and final Flight I of the United States Navy. She is named after US Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient Richard M. McCool, Jr. Richard M. McCool Jr. was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was christened on 11 June 2022, formally delivered to the US Navy on 11 April 2024, and commissioned on 7 September 2024.
Design
Like her immediate predecessor,, Richard M. McCool Jr. was designed be a "transitional ship" between the current San Antonio-class Flight I design and future Flight II vessels, starting with, and as such will feature design improvements developed in connection with the Navy's development of the LX(R)-class amphibious warfare ship,. Richard M. McCool Jr. incorporates the changes that were introduced in Fort Lauderdale intended to reduce the cost compared to the San Antonio-class, including: simplified bow works, replacement of the forward and aft composite masts with steel masts, removal of structures from the boat valley, and a stern gate which is open at the top. In addition, unlike Fort Lauderdale, Richard M. McCool Jr. uses the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) volume air search radar.