SIOUX CITY -- A new Navy combat ship will be named the USS Sioux City.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the name on Wednesday. A second combat ship will be called the USS Omaha.

"I chose the name for our two new littoral combat ships after Midwestern cities from America's heartland, to honor the patriotic, hard-working citizens of Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb., for their support of and contributions to the military," Mabus said in a statement.

The fast, maneuverable boats can operate in shallower coastal waters than big Navy ships.

The USS Sioux City will be constructed in Marinette, Wis. The 378-foot vessel is expected to be complete in 2014. It will have a top speed of 46 mph.

"This is a wonderful tribute to the people of Sioux City and the historical commitment of all those in Siouxland to the defense and security of the United States," said U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, of Iowa, in a statement. "Littoral combat ships are described as a major part of the future of the Navy, so it's fitting to name one for a city that is on the move and forward looking."

Mayor Bob Scott said the naming is an important honor for the community.