Lockheed Martin, Fincantieri to Build Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship

he US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) team a contract to build an additional LCS under the 2017 congressional cost cap of $584 million per ship.

LCS 27 will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, the Midwest's only naval shipyard, and is the 14th Freedom-variant LCS ordered by the US Navy to date.

"With the Freedom-variant now in serial production, our team is increasing efficiency with each ship produced and working to maintain ship and program affordability," said Joe DePietro, vice president of small surface combatants and ship systems.

The Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant, and has delivered five ships to the US Navy to date, including the future USS Little Rock which was delivered to the US Navy on September 25. There are seven ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with two more in long-lead production.

The Freedom-variant LCS team is comprised of Lockheed Martin, shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine, naval architect Gibbs & Cox, and more than 800 suppliers in 42 states.

The industry team invested over $ 100 million to modernize the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, hire additional staff and train a new workforce. This private investment helped the shipyard achieve full-rate production and create new Midwest manufacturing jobs.