A Flexible, Proven, Low-risk, Survivable Warship
USS Freedom (LCS 1) is designed to defeat growing asymmetric littoral threats and provide access and dominance in the coastal water battlespace. A fast, maneuverable and networked surface combatant, our low-risk solution provides the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute focused missions including mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare.
History was made when the nation’s first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), was put to sea for the first time, marking the beginning of Builder’s Sea Trials for the first-in-class coastal surface combatant.
To meet changing warfare needs, the Lockheed Martin design incorporates large reconfigurable spaces, an integrated launch, recovery and handling system, a large flight deck and mission flexibility through rapid change-out of mission modules and support equipment. Our design features combine exceptional speed, survivability, payload and range to provide flexibility in executing the full spectrum of LCS missions. Optimized for watercraft launch and recovery, our design includes stern and side launch capability near the waterline and an integrated command and control system (C2) to support mission module operation. Our LCS design is supportable worldwide, without needing special facilities or maintenance capabilities.
We are leveraging the U.S. Navy’s investment in open architecture and common C2 systems to allow unprecedented interoperability and make training more cost effective. Our design’s traditional steel monohull allows it to be more affordably produced and maintained by a wider industrial base. It also allows greater access to global ports, essential for this ship’s missions.
The USS Freedom (LCS 1) is proven, delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008 and deployed two years early. She completed her maiden deployment in 2010 and participated in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, know as Rim of the Pacific 2010. USS Freedom’s design meets all requirements and has completed sea trials, helicopter landings, weapons firings, small boat launch and recovery testing.
An Experienced, Capable Team
Led by prime contractor Lockheed Martin, the team includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox and ship builder Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company.
Lockheed Martin provides extensive expertise in program management, systems engineering, modularity architecture and C4I network integration. Gibbs & Cox holds an exceptional 70-year record of naval engineering while Marinette Marine Corporation has designed and built more than 1,500 vessels and is internationally recognized for highly efficient, modular, subassembly and assembly-line manufacturing techniques.
The team has invested millions of dollars to improve processes, for constructing LCS at a mid-tier shipyard, which diversifies the Navy’s shipbuilding options and allows it to leverage the benefits of competition. Lockheed Martin’s global supplier base also allows us to leverage buying power to further reduce costs.
