An industry team led by Lockheed Martin has launched the 13th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) - the future USS Wichita - into the Menominee River at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, Lockheed Martin announced on 17 September.
The Freedom-class LCS variant will now undergo additional testing and outfitting at Fincantieri Marinette Marine before it is delivered in 2017.
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team is in full-rate production of the Freedom-class variant, with three ships in long-lead material procurement stage and six under construction.
The Freedom-variant’s steel monohull is based on a proven, survivable design recognised for its stability and reliability. With 40 percent reconfigurable shipboard space, the hull is designed to accommodate additional lethality and survivability upgrades associated with the Freedom-variant frigate.
The 2025 National Strategic Review highlights the importance of readiness against a growing Russian threat and was published days after a speech from the French President Macron who called for an increase in defence spending worth €6.5 billion by 2027.
Equipment has continued to flow into Ukraine from the European Union (EU), NATO and western countries as the war against Russia continues but other types of support with longer-term prospects are appearing.
The UK’s National Security Strategy brings together the recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review and Industrial and Trade Strategies. At the same time, the UK made a commitment to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035 and Germany committed to 3.5% by 2029.
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
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