Lockheed Martin Lays Keel On 19th Littoral Combat Ship

Lockheed Martin laid the keel for the tenth Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS), the LCS-19 and future U.S.S. St. Louis, in a ceremony on Wednesday.

LCS-19 will be the seventh ship to bear the name U.S.S. St. Louis. 

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS, and has delivered four ships to the U.S. Navy to date. The future USS St. Louis is one of seven ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with two more in long-lead production.

"We are proud to build another proven warship that allows our Navy to carry out their missions around the world," said Joe North, vice president and general manager of Littoral Ships and Systems. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Navy to continue building and delivering highly capable and adaptable Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships to the fleet."

When LCS-19 is completed, the ship will measure 389 feet in length and will be operated by 50 core crew sailors. The ship is one of seven ships in various stages of construction at Marinette Marine, with two more in long-lead production.