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The U.S. Navy has issued a Lockheed
Martin-led industry team a contract modification for one fully funded 2015
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) valued at $362 million, along with $79 million in
advanced procurement funding for a second ship. The balance of the second ship
will be funded by Dec. 31, 2015.
The advanced procurement dollars approved by Congress provides the funding
required to maintain the cost and schedule of the final block buy option. The
award also includes a priced option for one additional fiscal year 2016 ship.
"We are proud to continue this partnership with the Navy in building the
advanced Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, and we thank the Navy for
maintaining the cost and schedule for the block buy," said Joe North, vice
president of Littoral Ship Systems at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and
Training. "Thousands of people across the country contribute to this important
program and will continue to do so as we transition to the new frigate upgrade
in the coming years."
The award comes as USS Freedom conducted a successful deployment to Southeast
Asia in 2013 and is currently operating out of her homeport in San Diego,
California, while USS Fort Worth is deployed until 2016. The USS Fort Worth is
serving in the U.S. 7th Fleet to strengthen international relationships, visit
more ports, engage in multi-regional naval exercises and further LCS
capabilities using both manned and unmanned assets.
The contract modification is for construction of LCS 21 and LCS 23, the 11th
and 12th Freedom variant ships. The first ship on this 2010 contract, the
Milwaukee (LCS 5), was christened and launched in 2013, and is slated to be
delivered to the Navy this summer. Detroit (LCS 7) was launched in 2014.
Little Rock (LCS 9) and Sioux City (LCS 11) are in construction, with LCS 9
christening and launch planned for this summer. Wichita (LCS 13) had its keel
laid in February 2015. Billings (LCS 15), as well as Indianapolis (LCS 17) and
to be named LCS 19 are in the construction phase.
Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, is building the ships in
Marinette, Wisconsin, with naval architect Gibbs & Cox of Arlington, Virginia,
providing engineering support. Fincantieri has invested more than $100 million
in the Marinette facility on upgrades that have increased efficiency and
minimized energy consumption, an expansion that will allow for construction of
more than two ships at a time, and process improvements that will speed up
production.
Nearly 900 suppliers across 43 states are contributing to the Freedom-class
LCS program.
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