WATCH: Splash! The USS Detroit Launches

Now, that’s a big splash! Here’s a cool short video of the Littoral combat ship USS Detroit being launched in Marinette, Wisconsin.

The ship’s sponsor, Barbara Levin, christened the Detroit with the smashing of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow just prior to the launch.

“It is a privilege to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Detroit and to participate in the major milestones along the way to her assuming her place as part of the great U.S. Navy fleet,” said Mrs. Levin. “I also look forward to an ongoing relationship with her courageous crews and their families throughout the ship’s lifetime.”

We shared details on the ship earlier when it was being moved into place for launch. The USS Detroit will go through outfitting and testing before delivery to the Navy in 2015. It then will be commissioned right here in the Detroit River.

The U.S. Navy awarded the contract to construct Detroit in March 2011 a Lockheed-Martin led industry team. The ship is one of five currently under construction in Marinette.