LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP

Shipbuilders
Lockheed Martin-led team includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox Inc. and shipbuilders Marinette Marine Corp. and Bollinger Shipyards Inc., USA

Project
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the U.S. Navy

Project Update
Today's naval threat environment has changed significantly due to mines, quiet diesel-electric submarines and surface threats. Naval forces need a new type of warship to combat these formidable threats and to access littoral waters.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is designed to defeat growing asymmetric littoral threats and provide access and dominance in the coastal water battlespace. LCS will provide the U.S. Navy with fast, manoeuvrable and shallow draft ships aimed at maximizing mission flexibility. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, the modular design of LCS will provide the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute specific missions. The ship’s first missions will include anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and mine warfare. A key FORCEnet enabler, LCS will also be networked to share tactical information with other naval aircraft, ships, submarines, joint and coalition units and LCS groups, providing commanders with the right information quickly and efficiently.

The Lockheed Martin team was awarded a contract for final design, with options for up to two Flight 0, or initial production, ships. If all options are exercised, the total value of the contract could grow to $423 million. Lockheed Martin is scheduled to begin construction of the lead ship at Marinette Marine in Marinette, WI, in the first quarter of 2005.

Lockheed Martin is teamed with naval architect Gibbs & Cox and ship builders Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine - all ShipConstructor users.

The Lockheed Martin team is preparing for Final Critical Design Review in December – the last program milestone leading to authorization to begin construction of the first LCS.