The Lockheed Martin-led industry team recently submitted its final proposal for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract to the U.S. Navy.
“We are offering the U.S. Navy a low-risk, affordable design that has already proven itself to be essential to the expanding challenges faced by our Sailors,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO Bob Stevens in a press release following the initial proposal submittal in April. “Lockheed Martin is committed to continuing our strong performance to ensure delivery of an affordable class of LCS ships for our nation.”
Lockheed Martin is one of two industry teams competing for the contract. Following a down select from the Navy, expected later this summer, the winning team will be awarded a fixed-price-incentive-fee contract to provide up to 10 ships with two ships in fiscal 2010 and options through fiscal 2014, as well as combat systems for five additional ships.
Prior to this competition, Lockheed Martin was awarded contracts to construct two ships for this new class. The Lockheed Martin-led team designed and constructed USS Freedom (LCS 1), which was delivered to the Navy in 2008 and recently completed its first deployment to the U.S. Southern and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility. USS Freedom is currently participating in the world’s largest maritime exercise, known as Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010.
At the same time, the Lockheed Martin team is constructing LCS 3, Fort Worth, and construction remains on cost and on schedule. The program recently reached the 50-percent completion mark and the ship is scheduled to be launched later this year.
